Robert Zarco

Robert Zarco, Founding Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., has built a national reputation in franchise law and complex commercial litigation and been at the forefront of protecting the legal rights and interests of business clients in the USA and internationally for over 35 years, handling complex commercial trials, legal transactions, business disputes and litigation in Federal and State Courts, as well as Arbitration and Mediation. Well known as an experienced, aggressive and creative Trial Lawyer and negotiator, Zarco is frequently awarded legal industry distinctions including “Best Lawyers” in Commercial Litigation and Franchise Law since 2006 and “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020 for Franchise Law by Best Lawyers of America©, Litigation Council of America Fellow & Order of Centurion Trial Lawyers Honor Society, “Top Dealmakers of the Year” for Real Estate/Land by Daily Business Review, “Legal Eagle Hall of Fame” by Franchise Times, and American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. The Firm is repeatedly listed in U.S. News & World Report among “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers of America ©.

Mr. Zarco, who leads a team of experienced attorneys with backgrounds as former economists, bankers and accountants, have a long track record of helping franchisees and other businesses form, manage, grow, restructure, exit, and defend their legal transactions and disputes, including but not limited to disputes involving commercial real estate, intellectual property and trademark infringement, C-Suite labor and employment disputes, and much more. Robert Zarco is especially renowned and awarded by the legal world nationally as a trial lawyer and advocate for franchisees in all aspects of franchise litigation. He also actively lobbies federal congresspersons and state legislators representing the franchisees’ interests and promoting the enactment of “Fair Franchising” legislation among their other business interests. As a veteran Franchise Law and Litigation Attorney, Robert Zarco was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Total Quality Franchising by the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD). Mr. Zarco is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyers Honorary Society; he also qualifies as a Barrister in the Order of Centurions.

Zarco graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He further developed his extensive background in business, accounting and finance during his employment at General Motors Corp in New York as a management level Financial Analyst, while simultaneously attending Pace University Graduate School of Business MBA Finance program in New York. Zarco developed a great curiosity for the Law and ultimately graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Zarco is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and federal courts in many other jurisdictions on a special appearance basis, just to name a few.

With Zarco as Founder and Senior partner, the firm has earned significant victories for clients, and has established legal precedents which have paved the way for courts to understand the complexities of the franchise relationship in particular. Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has been repeatedly in the forefront of important franchise law issues, such as encroachment/cannibalization, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, and breach of contract, in addition to statutory violations of state and federal franchise laws.

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. represents franchisees from over 500 brands in more than 40 states and 20 countries, as well as thousands of franchisees from a multitude of Franchisee Associations on disputes against major franchise systems in the hotel, restaurant, dealership, and other service industries. Past and present clients include franchisees of Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Best Western, Ramada, Quality Inn, Planet Fitness, Harley Davidson, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Wendy's, among many many others. Mr. Zarco and the Firm have also represented Franchisee Associations including 7-Eleven, TCBY, Johnny Rockets, Little Caesars, Wood You Furniture, Roto-Rooter, Papa John’s, Massage Envy, Edible Arrangements, among many others.

Fluent in the Spanish language, Robert was born in Cuba and came to New York with his parents in 1961 at the age of 2, fleeing Communism and leaving all material possessions behind. The sacrifices of his parents combined with Robert’s personal drive, determination, and hard work led him to great achievements. Beginning at the age of 7 as an entrepreneur in the landscape business, he converted his substantial earnings into a real estate investment to buy his first rental property as a college freshman. As a Community Leader and Philanthropist, Zarco has served on the Board of Trustees for the Public Health Trust/Jackson Health System, as well as in the University of Maryland Board of Trustees. He supports many charitable causes that are dear to his heart such as The Jewish Federation, AIPAC, Rambam Hospital in Israel, Israel Bonds, and Temple Menorah among many others. Robert is an avid yachtsman who loves the outdoors, boating, and being out in the open water; he is also an amateur Chef, hosting parties and fund-raisers for many great causes. Zarco loves to collect automobiles and displays his new art collection at the law firm’s luxurious new offices in Downtown Miami. Together with his family and three grown children, Robert loves to travel and lives his life to the fullest. He truly lives by the mottos he cherishes most: “Work hard, Play hard” and “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh”.