IANAL. Short answer: lawyer up or don't get paid. Longer answer: You don't have any relationship with the recruiter. The client, however, does - they likely a

IANAL. Short answer: lawyer up or don't get paid. Longer answer: You don't have any relationship with the recruiter. The client, however, does - they likely agreed to hire you through the recruiter for some period of time. If they wanted to hire you, they should have reached out to the POC at the recruiter's office. They didn't, though, and opted to work directly with you. It's extremely likely that they'll have to pay a percentage to the recruiter, but that shouldn't affect you at all (in terms of what you're owed): they engaged you for work and they owe you compensation for it. Take it to court and see what happens (or don't and probably don't get paid).