Robert Zarco

Robert Zarco, Founding and Managing Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., has built a distinguished national and international reputation in franchise law, complex commercial litigation, and high-stakes business disputes resolution alternatives. For nearly 40 years, he has represented business owners, multi-unit operators, franchisee associations, franchisees, dealerships, distributors, and licensors throughout the United States and internationally in complex business litigation, arbitration, mediation, and business transactions.

Renowned as a strategic, trial-tested attorney, commercial trial lawyer, and negotiator, Zarco has earned numerous industry distinctions throughout his career. Under his leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has been awarded national top rankings in Franchise Law from Chambers USA and National Tier 1 recognition as “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers in America®. In 2021, he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) for his decades of advocacy on behalf of franchisees and fair franchising practices nationwide. Every year since 2006, Zarco has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation and Franchise Law. He was inducted into the “Legal Eagle Hall of Fame” by Franchise Times and was awarded the 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Franchise Law by Best Lawyers. Additional honors include, among others, being named “Top Dealmakers of the Year” for Real Estate/Land by the Daily Business Review/ALM, a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and an inductee into the Order of Centurions Trial Lawyers Honor Society.

Mr. Zarco leads a team of highly skilled lawyers with diverse backgrounds in economics, banking, accounting, finance, and business strategy. Through the firm’s nationally recognized Franchise, Dealership, Distribution & Licensing Practice, Zarco and his team regularly handle franchise litigation and disputes involving wrongful termination and non-renewal, encroachment and cannibalization, fraud and misrepresentation, franchise disclosure violations, advertising fund disputes, restrictive covenant and non-compete litigation, private equity-related franchise conflicts, operational and supply chain disputes, fiduciary duty claims, and other sophisticated disputes impacting franchisees and independent business owners nationwide. Widely known as “The Great Equalizer,” Zarco is particularly recognized for franchisee representation and leveling the playing field in complex “David vs. Goliath” disputes involving some of the world’s largest franchise systems and corporate entities.

In addition to his legal practice, Zarco is a nationally recognized speaker and thought leader on franchise law, franchisee advocacy, dealership and distribution law, private equity’s impact on franchising, and complex commercial litigation. He has served as a keynote speaker, panelist, and featured presenter at many of the franchise industry’s most respected professional forums and conferences, including the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association (IFA) Legal Symposium, the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) Franchisee Leadership Summit, the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) Day Forum & Legal Symposium, and numerous franchise association clients’ conventions and leadership events throughout the United States.

Under Zarco’s leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has helped shape important legal precedent and achieved landmark results in franchise law and high stakes commercial litigation. The firm represents franchisees, multi-unit operators, and franchisee associations from over 500 brands across more than 40 states and 20 countries, handling matters that directly impact business operations, franchise relationships, enterprise value, and long-term growth for clients throughout the United States and internationally. The firm’s practice continues to expand through its broad Areas Served across major industries nationwide and overseas.

A graduate of Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Zarco developed a strong foundation in business, finance, and accounting during his tenure as a financial analyst at General Motors in New York. While working there, he simultaneously attended Pace University’s Graduate School of Business MBA classes. His passion for the law ultimately led him to earn his Juris Doctor from University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Zarco is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court, a variety of U.S. District Courts in Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona and others, as well as different U.S. Courts of Appeals nationwide.

Fluent in Spanish, Robert Zarco was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1961. The sacrifices made by his parents, combined with his entrepreneurial drive and determination, helped shape the work ethic, resilience, and business perspective that continue to define his legal and business career today. A lifelong entrepreneur, Zarco started his first business at a young age and began investing in real estate while attending college.

As a community leader and philanthropist, Zarco has served on the Board of Trustees for the Public Health Trust/Jackson Health System and the University of Maryland. He supports numerous charitable, healthcare, educational, and community organizations and individuals, including the Jewish Federation, AIPAC, Israel Bonds, Rambam Hospital, and Temple Menorah. He has a strong belief and long history of giving back.

Zarco’s personal philosophy — “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh” — reflects his belief in balancing professional excellence, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, family, and meaningful life experiences. Outside the courtroom, Zarco enjoys traveling, boating, architecture, art, cooking, real estate, and hosting charitable and community events with family and friends. He lives in Miami with his family and enjoys traveling and creating lasting memories with his children and grandchildren.