First, I worked at Company A for 5 years, then was actively recruited to Company B. Company B laid me off after 11 months. The typical severance payment is 1 mo

First, I worked at Company A for 5 years, then was actively recruited to Company B. Company B laid me off after 11 months. The typical severance payment is 1 month for each year of service, so you'd assume I'd only get ~1 month of pay. The lawyer was able to get me 1 month of salary for each of 5 years plus 11 months of service. There is something in the laws* about them actively recruiting, luring me away from Company A that makes Company B need to compensate me for the loss of leaving Company A. *I'm not a lawyer, but I think it's case law and not statutory laws. Second, employment lawyer told me when they announce a large layoff, they have everything planned. Including a budget for people who ask for more money. Since HR is dealing with hundreds or thousands of layoffs (eg. Amazon), they don't have time/resources to argue with you. If you ask for more severance, they'll just give it to you (budget already approved), especially if you are represented by a lawyer. EDIT: Third, I'm mid-career. Lawyer told me at my level, it takes longer to find a job. Why accept a generic package that juniors will get when law* already agrees that it takes me longer to find work. Point of the severance is to bridge me to my next job, I should get more.