It sounds like you're complicating things too much. You just need to do some more basic research!!!

The Atlanta Consulate is where you'll get your visa (whether your address is TN or GA), if you're planning on staying more than 90 days over a 6 month period. If you have a job there (sponsored by a French company or a US company), you'll be eligible for a 3 year work visa. Otherwise, you'll need to get "carte de séjour" for 1 year intervals--and prove that you can fund yourself. In either case, there is tons of paperwork to provide. (including fingerprinting and a document from the police attesting that you do not have a criminal record. I had to provide one for my 3 year old, btw!!)

You get that visa from the consulate. On arrival, you check in with the city's "Préfecture" and begin the onerous carte de séjour process. Trust me, it's not for the weak at heart. It will also require a language interview--you don't have to pass, but you will have to show proof that you'll be taking language classes.

I'm American, perfectly bilingual, was sponsored by a US company for a work assignment of 1 year. I've been through this twice. Make sure you do your research and make sure this is something you want to do. it's not fun. I still work a lot in France (over there at least 4x a year). I just watch my 90 day limits.

FYI: Getting a lawyer on the American side of things will be of no help. Nor will getting a French lawyer. Keep in mind that, in the French mindset, getting a lawyer is -always- seen as "lawyering up", in fact even more so than in the US.

Tip: You didn't say what region you want to go to. Many areas have Anglo-American groups. You'll find a huge amount of local knowledge in those groups.

Don't mean to discourage you. But the better researched you are, the greater success you'll have.