Unpaid Wages / Overtime in hospitality: What Are My Options?

EDIT: added more context below. I'm dealing with a situation and need some guidance.

DOGE layoff with inadequate severance. I've been dealing with this for about 16 months now and the situation isn't improving.

I have worked at this company for 12 years. My position is exempt and I do have a written employment agreement beyond the standard offer letter.

What are the risks if I pursue this? What's the likely timeline?

I went through almost the exact same thing.

In my case, it took about 2-4 months to resolve. The key was hiring an attorney to send the initial letter haha.

Check if your state has a "one-party consent" rule for recording conversations. If so, start documenting everything in writing — follow up verbal conversations with a summary email saying "per our conversation today..."