Himanshu Patel

Himanshu Patel is a partner at Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., a Miami, Florida based law firm focused on franchise and business disputes. He represents clients in franchise law, commercial litigation, complex commercial litigation, franchise arbitration, mediation, corporate matters, and appellate proceedings. His practice frequently involves disputes between franchisors and franchisees as well as other business-related conflicts.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Patel earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Vanderbilt University in December 1994. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law in May 1998. During law school, he worked with several law firms in Louisville, Kentucky, gaining experience in corporate, tax, and probate matters. He also participated in the Securities Law Moot Court Team, representing the law school in a national competition. In addition, he served as Membership Director of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity and Managing Editor of the Brandeis Brief, and was involved with the International Law Society.

Mr. Patel is fluent in Gujarati and is active in several professional organizations related to franchise law, business law, and litigation. His professional involvement includes participation in the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Franchising and other bar association sections focused on business, litigation, tax, and real property matters. He is also affiliated with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and participates in industry-related initiatives.

He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and multiple federal courts of appeal and district courts throughout the United States.

Current Position:

• Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., Miami, Florida

Practice Areas:

• Franchise Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Complex Commercial Litigation
• Franchise Arbitration
• Litigation and Mediation
• General Business
• Corporate Law
• Appellate Practice

Honors & Awards:

• Chambers USA National Ranking in Franchising (mainly Franchisee)
• Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation and Franchise Law, since 2022
• AV Preeminent Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell/LexisNexis, 2011–Present
• Florida Super Lawyers – Franchise & Dealership and Business Litigation, since 2021
• Top 10 Influential Franchisee Lawyers in the USA, Business Today, 2023
• Top Young Attorneys in Florida – The Wall Street Journal & Miami Magazine, 2012–2013
• Legal Elite – Florida Trend Magazine
• Florida Rising Star – Super Lawyers, 2010, 2012, 2013
• Cambridge Who’s Who Registry Among Executives and Professionals, Miami Representative, 2010–2012
• Who's Who Legal Global Leaders in Franchise Law

Professional Associations:

• Delta Theta Phi
• Brandeis Brief, Managing Editor
• International Law Society, Member
• American Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
• American Bar Association, Litigation Section
• American Bar Association, Tax Section
• American Bar Association, Real Property Section
• The Florida Bar
• Miami-Dade County Bar Association
• Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
• AAHOA Industry Relations Committee
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• International Franchise Association (IFA)
• American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD)
• Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA)

Languages:

• English
• Gujarati

Education:

• University of Louisville School of Law, Louisville, Kentucky
  • J.D., 1998
  • Securities Law Moot Court Team
• Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
  • B.A., Economics, 1994

Bar Admissions:

• Florida, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Classes & Seminars:

• May 2026, “Stealing the System: Trade Secret Battles After Franchise Termination,” IFA Legal Symposium, Washington D.C.
• April 2026, "How Franchise Relationships Can Make or Break a Business at the AAHOA Asian American Hotel Owners Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA
• February 2026 - “Franchise Agreements: A Practical Guide for Owners" at the AAHOA Asian American Hotel Owners Association Conference in Miami, Florida
• May 2024 – “The Impact of Franchise Associations,” AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO
• November 2023 – “Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees in Franchise Litigation: Success is No Accident,” 46th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Dallas, TX
• 2021 – “The Absentee Franchisor: When Franchisors Don’t Live Up to Their Obligations,” 44th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Washington, DC
• 2018 – “From Franchise Disclosure Agreements to Chapter 11 Disclosure Statements: A Deep Dive into Franchise Insolvency Issues,” Business Law Section Spring Meeting
• 2012 – “Changes in System Standards – What is the Extent of the Franchisor’s Latitude?” 35th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Los Angeles, CA
• 2009 – “Common Discovery Issues in Franchising,” 32nd Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Toronto, ON
• 2006 – “Common Issues in Hospitality Franchising,” AAHOA Lodging Business
• 2006 – “Does Your Franchise Agreement Allow an Opportunity to Cure?” HL Comment
• 2005 – “The Franchisor/Franchisee Relationship,” 3rd Annual Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX
• 2004 – “Is the Franchisee Responsible When the Guest is Injured on Hotel Property?” HL Comment
• 2003 – “How to Successfully Negotiate a Franchise Agreement,” AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show, Long Beach, CA
• 2002 – “All in the Family,” AAHOA Lodging Business

Published Works:

• The Franchise Lawyer, Associate Editor, 2012–2014