Robert Zarco

Robert Zarco
Founding Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A.

Robert Zarco, Founding Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., has built a distinguished national and international reputation in franchise law and complex commercial litigation. For over 35 years, he has been at the forefront of protecting the legal rights and interests of business clients in the U.S. and abroad. Zarco has handled complex commercial trials, legal transactions, business disputes, and litigation in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration and mediation forums.

Renowned as an experienced, aggressive, and innovative trial lawyer and negotiator, Zarco has received numerous industry distinctions, including being recognized in Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation and Franchise Law every year since 2006. He was honored as “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020 for Franchise Law by Best Lawyers in America©. Other accolades include being named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and an inductee into the Order of Centurions Trial Lawyers Honor Society, “Top Dealmakers of the Year” for Real Estate/Land by the Daily Business Review, and receiving the “Legal Eagle Hall of Fame” recognition from Franchise Times. In 2021, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD). Under Zarco’s leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has consistently ranked among the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America©.

Mr. Zarco leads a team of highly skilled attorneys with diverse backgrounds in economics, banking, and accounting. The firm has an exceptional track record of assisting franchisees and businesses in forming, managing, growing, restructuring, exiting, and defending legal transactions and disputes. These include complex cases involving commercial real estate, intellectual property and trademark infringement, C-Suite labor and employment disputes, and more. Zarco is particularly celebrated for his expertise and advocacy on behalf of franchisees in all aspects of franchise litigation. He actively lobbies federal and state legislators to enact “Fair Franchising” legislation to protect franchisees’ rights and business interests.

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 program. His passion for the law led him to earn his Juris Doctor 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, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and other federal courts nationwide.

Under his leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has achieved landmark victories for clients and set legal precedents, especially in franchise law. The firm has led significant cases involving issues such as encroachment/cannibalization, breaches of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, and violations of state and federal franchise statutes.

The firm represents franchisees from over 500 brands across more than 40 states and 20 countries. Clients have included franchisees and franchisee associations from major systems such as Holiday Inn, Days Inn, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Harley Davidson, Planet Fitness, Massage Envy, Edible Arrangements, and many more.

Fluent in Spanish, Robert Zarco was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1961, fleeing communism. His parents’ sacrifices and his determination have shaped his success. A lifelong entrepreneur, Zarco started his first business at age seven and invested his early earnings into real estate 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 and the University of Maryland. He supports charitable organizations including the Jewish Federation, AIPAC, Israel Bonds, Rambam Hospital, and Temple Menorah. An avid yachtsman and amateur chef, Zarco enjoys hosting events for charitable causes. He also collects automobiles and displays his art collection at the firm’s luxurious offices in Downtown Miami.

Zarco’s life mottos, “Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh,” embody his philosophy of achieving balance and fulfillment. He lives in Miami with his family and enjoys traveling and creating lasting memories with his three grown children and grandchildren.