Robert Zarco

Robert Zarco

Founder and Managing Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A.

Robert Zarco is the Founder and Managing Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., a Miami, Florida-based law firm representing franchisees, business owners, and associations in complex disputes and litigation across the United States and internationally. For nearly four decades, Mr. Zarco, a distinguished trial lawyer, has focused his practice on Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation, advising and representing clients in litigation, arbitration, mediation, and business-related disputes involving franchise systems, dealerships, distributors, and other commercial relationships.

Throughout his career, Mr. Zarco has represented multi-unit operators, franchisee associations, dealerships, distributors, licensors, and independent business owners in high-value commercial disputes and negotiations. His work often involves matters such as franchise terminations and non-renewals, encroachment and territory disputes, fraud and disclosure issues, restrictive covenant and non-compete litigation, supply chain conflicts, fiduciary duty claims, and other disputes affecting franchise and distribution systems. Through the firm’s Franchise, Dealership, Distribution & Licensing Practice, he and his team regularly handle franchise litigation and related commercial litigation matters throughout the country.

Mr. Zarco has received numerous professional recognitions throughout his legal career. He has been included in Best Lawyers in America for Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation and has been selected to Super Lawyers since 2006. He was also recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” in Franchise Law in 2020. In 2021, the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding work involving franchisee advocacy and fair franchising practices. He has also been inducted into the “Legal Eagle Hall of Fame” by Franchise Times and has received an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Under Mr. Zarco’s leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. represents franchisees, multi-unit operators, and franchisee associations connected to hundreds of brands across more than 40 states and multiple countries. The firm handles matters involving franchise agreements, commercial litigation, dispute resolution, and business conflicts that impact business operations, franchise relationships, and long-term growth for clients. The firm’s work extends throughout its Areas Served across the United States and internationally.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Zarco frequently speaks at industry conferences and legal forums on topics involving franchise law, franchisee rights, dealership and distribution law, private equity’s role in franchising, and complex commercial litigation. He has served as a speaker or panelist at events hosted by organizations such as the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers Franchisee Leadership Summit, and the Coalition of Franchisee Associations.

Mr. Zarco earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University. Early in his career he worked as a financial analyst at General Motors in New York while also attending MBA courses at Pace University’s Graduate School of Business. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.

He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Florida, multiple U.S. District Courts including those in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York, and several U.S. Courts of Appeals.

Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Zarco was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1961. His background and early entrepreneurial experiences continue to influence his work with business owners and franchise operators. Outside of his legal practice, he supports a variety of charitable, healthcare, and educational organizations and has served in leadership and advisory roles within community institutions in South Florida.

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Education

• University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
  • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1985
• Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1980
  • Major: Economics

Bar and Court Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Supreme Court of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court District of Arizona
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Practice Areas

• Franchise Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Complex Business & Commercial Law
• Business Litigation & Disputes
• Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation
• Commercial Trial Lawyers
• Real Estate & Insurance Disputes Resolution and Litigation
• Intellectual Property Disputes Resolution & Litigation
• Employment Law Disputes Resolution & Litigation

Honors & Awards

• Fellow and Order of the Centurions, Trial Lawyers Honorary Society, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), Since 2021
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Total Quality Franchising by the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD)
• Lawyer of the Year, Franchise Law – Best Lawyers, 2020
• Best Lawyers in America – Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation, Since 2013
• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell/LexisNexis, Since 1995
• Chambers USA Top National Ranking in Franchising (Mainly Franchisee)
• Super Lawyers, Franchise/Dealership and Business Litigation, Florida, 2006 to present
• Legal Eagles Hall of Fame – Franchise Times
• Legal Eagles – Franchise Litigation, Franchise Times
• Top Dealmakers of the Year, Real Estate Development – Daily Business Review
• Franchise Advocate of the Year SWAG Award – Ask April Porter
• Top 1% of America’s Most Honored Lawyers – The American Registry
• Top Lawyer, Franchisees & Automotive Dealerships – South Florida Legal Guide
• Florida’s Legal Elite – Florida Trend
• Haute Living Magazine’s Haute 100 List of Influential Names in Miami
• Men of Influence – Lifestyle Magazine
• Who’s Who Legal Recognition in Franchise Law
• South Florida’s Top Lawyers – Miami Herald

Languages

• English
• Spanish