While it would make sense for him to consult an immigration lawyer, odds are that he did receive a decision on the removal proceedings and that there was some reason why he did not receive it -- perhaps he moved and didn't update his address in a timely manner, or perhaps it was somehow misdirected. Perhaps we was represented and it went to his lawyer, and for some reason they didn't connect to discuss the outcome.
It is all-but-impossible to believe that he would have obtained LPR status had the decision not not come back favorably.

