Laid off, no severance — looking for advice

I was laid off from an IB role in Chicago a few weeks ago, about two months before bonus season, with no severance. The firm cited performance, but I don’t have written documentation to support or refute that claim.

I don’t believe there’s any realistic chance of recovering a bonus, but I’m wondering if it’s worth hiring an employment attorney to pursue severance.

For those who’ve been through this:

  • How many months of severance is typical? (I worked there ~10 months)
  • Was hiring a lawyer worth it?
  • Typical hourly rate vs. contingency (% of claim) in Chicago?
  • Any Chicago employment attorney recommendations?
  • Should I apply for unemployment, or can that hurt me later?

Appreciate any insight.

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