Robert Zarco - Miami, FL

Overview

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

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Robert Zarco included in a Super Lawyers® list

Education

• Legal Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida, 1985
    J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence

• Non Legal Education

  • Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
    B.A., Bachelor of Arts
    Major: Economics

Current Employment Position(s)

• Founding and Managing Partner

Languages

• English

• Spanish

Classes and Seminars

• "Navigating New Franchise Agreement Provisions in a Competitive Marketplace," AAFD’s 2025 Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference, Washington D.C., 2025
  
• "The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying a Franchise,” International Franchise Association (IFA) World Franchise Show, Miami Beach, FL, 2025
  
• “Prevalent Issues & Disputes Between Franchisors & Franchisees,” Independent Association of Home Instead Franchisees (IAOHIF), Denver, CO, 2025
  
• May 2024: “The Impact of Private Equity on Your Franchise Relationship, ” AAFD’s 2024 Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO
  
• April 2024: “The Impact Private Equity Has On The Franchisor/Franchisee Relationship,” Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) Day Forum & Legal Symposium, Washington D. C.
  
• 2023, CFA DAY Forum, Panelist sharing his legal opinions on the Federal Trade Commission’s recent Request for Information about franchising, Wash. DC.
  
• 2023, Keynote Speaker at the SWAG Conference, “From Cuba to Court: How an Immigrant Created a Life of Sanity, Wealth & Gratitude,” St. Louis, MO.
  
• 2022, AAFD’s 30th Anniversary Franchisee Leadership Summit and Conference, Keynote Speaker “It’s Our Time”, Mesa, AZ.
  
• 2022, CFA Membership Webinar on ‘Encroachment and Cannibalization in Franchising.’
  
• 2021, AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit, Speaker and Awarded the AAFD “Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement,” Virtual.
  
• 2019, Panelist Speaker, CFA Legal Symposium, “How to handle Encroachment issues”, Las Vegas, NV.
  
• 2019, AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit “When Private Equity Buys Your Franchise System” and lead a Panel Discussion on “Protecting Franchisee Goodwill”, Mesa, AZ.
  
• 2019, Speaker, “Jack in the Box” National Franchisee Association Convention, Scottsdale, AZ.
  
• 2017, February 24. “Alternative Fee Arrangements”, Inaugural Corporate Counsel Summit, Coral Gables, FL.
  
• 2017, CFA Day Forum, “Franchisor Control – The Impact on Joint Employer Liability and Vicarious Liability,” Washington D.C.
  
• 2017, 25th Annual AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit and Conference “Threat of NLRB to Joint Employer Doctrine,” Indian Wells, CA.
  
• 2016, November 10. “Where to Draw the Line – Is your Franchise Agreement an Unconscionable, Illusory Contract?”, 39th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Miami Beach, FL
  
• 2016, May 4. “NLRB Decision: Joint Employer”, 7-Eleven Franchisee National Coalition Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  
• 2015, December 14. “Launching into the World”, Florida International University Commencement Ceremony, Miami FL.
  
• 2015, October 8-11. “Legal implications of the recent National Labor Relations Board decision on franchisors, franchisees and franchising in general”, 56th Annual HADA convention, Maui, HI
  
• 2015, September 21-22. “Joint- Employer: What it really Means for You and Franchisors”, 2015 DDIFO National Conference, Las Vegas, NV
  
• 2015, February 26. “Affordable Care Act – The Employer Mandate in Summary”, DDIFO District Member Meeting, Orlando, FL
  
• 2014, Florida International University Graduation Commencement Speaker.
  
• 2014, October 15-17. “The 7 Most Significant Franchise Cases of all Time”, 37th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Seattle, WA
  
• 2014, October 9-12. “Hawaii’s Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act” , 55th Annual HADA Convention, Wailea, HI
  
• 2013, May: “A Seat at the Table-The Case for Franchisee Advisory Councils,” International Franchise Association (IFA), 46th Annual Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C
  
• 2013, May 5-9. “Alternatives to Default: Managing Underperforming Franchisees”, 46th Annual IFA Legal Symposium
  
• 2010, November. Lecture: University of Maryland
  
• 2009, October. “Franchise Litigation”, ABA Forum on Franchising, Toronto, ON, Canada
  
• 2009, May 30-31. “Tips for Franchisees in Pursuit of the American Dream”, Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  
• 2009, June. “Tips for the Franchisee In Pursuit of the American Dream”
  
• 2009, March. “Guest satisfaction Still First Priority for hospitality Industry in Weathering Challenging Economic Times”
  
• 2009, February. “Creative Strategies for Franchise Businesses to Navigate Challenging Economic Times”
  
• 2006, October 11-13. “The Practical Considerations on Litigation Franchise Disputes” ABA 29th Annual Forum on Franchising, Boston, MA
  
• 2006, February 9-12. “Investing in a Hotel Franchise”, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Dallas, TX
  
• 2005, March 24-25. “Maximizing your Franchise Agreement”, 2005 AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  
• 2004, November 5. “Understanding the UFOC and Franchise Laws”, Hampton Roads Franchise Roads Expo 2004, Hampton, VA
  
• 2004, September 8. “Getting the Most of the Franchisor/Franchisee Relationships”, Tennessee Hospitality Alliance Exposition with Tennessee Restaurant Association, Nashville, TN
  
• 2004, August 6. “Benefits of a Franchise Association & Medicine Shoppe Franchise”, Pharmacy Franchise Owner Association, Anaheim, CA
  
• 2004, January 22. “Hospitality Franchising Issues”, Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston, Houston, TX
  
• 2003, September 22. “Lawsuit Trends and Thoughts on Avoiding Litigation”, Multi-Unit Food Service Operators Conference, Atlanta, GA
  
• 2003, June 12. Nova’s Fast Track MBA Training in Franchise Management – International Institute of Franchise Education, H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
  
• 2003, June 3. “Franchising Today UFOC Night”, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Franchise Today”, Orientation Seminar, New York, NY
  
• 2003, April 9. “Franchising Today UFOC Night”, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Franchising Today”, Orientation Seminar, Orlando, FL
  
• 2003, January 22. "Franchise Relationship Laws in US Territories", U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's "Franchising Today" Orientation Seminar, Caguas, Puerto Rico.
  
• 2003, January 17. "The Ten Most Dangerous Provisions in a Franchise Agreement", Florida Bar Franchise Seminar, Miami, FL.
  
• 2002, October 30. “Financial Management of a Franchised Business and The Role of the CPA”, The Cuban American CPA Association, Miami, FL
  
• 2002, October 19. “Franchising Today: Exploring New Markets & New Opportunities”, The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, CA
  
• 2002, October 6. “The 10 Most Dangerous Contract Clauses in The Hardee’s Franchise Agreement”, The Hardee’s Convention, Miami, FL
  
• 2000, April. “The Top Ten Issues Facing Hotel Counsel”
  
• 2000, Convention. Fairness and Good Faith and McDonald’s Remodeling Requirements.
  
• 2000, April. Alternatives in Resolving Franchisor– Franchisee Disputes— Part One: The Mediation Option
  
• 2000, March. “Liquidated Damages Clauses – Do You Always Have to Pay?”
  
• 2000, February. The American with Disabilities Act–An Overview for Franchisees in the Lodging Sector
  
• 2000, January. Premises Liability– Is the Franchisor or Franchisee Responsible When a Guest is Injured on Hotel Property
  
• 1999, December. To Pay or Not to Pay…(Royalties)…That is the Question.
  
• 1999, November. Part II of the Most Potentially Dangerous Contract Clauses in Your Franchise Agreement
  
• 1999, September. Ten of the Most Dangerous Contract Clauses Which May Be in Your Franchise Agreement
  
• Know Your Legal Rights.
  
• Practical Aspects of Franchisee Representation Alternative Dispute Resolution: Which Method is Best for Your Client
  
• The Sounds of Silence in the Franchise Agreement, co-author with Lawrence V. Ashe, Franchise Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, American Bar Association

Pro Bono Activities

• City of Miami Beach Budget Advisory Committee
• Several committees for Greater Miami Jewish Federation
• Board of Directors of Temple Menorah
• Affiliate of American Franchisee Association
• Member of Beacon Council
• Delegate to White House Conference on Small Businesses
• University of Maryland Board of Trustees
• Jackson Memorial Hospital/Public Health Trust Governing Board of Trustees

Published Works

Articles

• Tips for the Franchisee in Pursuit of the American Dream
  
• Know Your Legal Rights
  
• Practical Aspects of Franchisee Representation Alternative Dispute Resolution: Which Method is Best for Your Client (Co-Author)
  
• The Sounds of Silence in the Franchise Agreement, co-author with Lawrence V. Ashe, Franchise Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, American Bar Association
  
• Fairness and Good Faith and McDonald's Remodeling Requirements, Consortium Members Inc. Equity Forum, A Publication for McDonald's Franchisees, 2000
  

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Supreme Court of Florida
• U.S. District Court District of Arizona
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Western District of New York
• U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
• 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

Other Affiliations

• American Bar Association, Member (ABA)
• Florida Bar Association, Member
• Dade County Bar Association, Member
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Member
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
• American Bar Association Franchise Forum
• Cuban American Bar Association (CABA)
• Dade Country Trial Lawyers Association
• Federal Trial Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Florida Justice Association
• International Franchise Association (IFA)
• American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD)
• Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA)
• Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), Fellow and Trial Law Institute Member
• Diversity Law Institute, Member – Litigation Counsel of America