I'm currently in the process of negotiating my severance package after being laid off from my position at a tech company. I've been considering hiring a lawyer who charges a $5000 retainer for employment cases, but I'm unsure if it's worth the investment. I've seen mixed opinions on whether legal representation is necessary, especially since I don't have a contract and my situation doesn't seem to involve any discrimination or protected class issues. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through this process and whether hiring a lawyer made a significant difference in their outcome.