Bob Zisk concentrates his practice on franchise and distribution and commercial litigation. 

Bob has extensive experience as a franchise litigator and counselor. For over thirty years, he has represented national franchisors in litigation with franchisees, regulators, and others over the broad range of cases that arise for franchisors, including antitrust, disclosure issues, anti-poaching, vicarious liability, financial fraud, system standards, class actions, encroachment, trademark and trade dress infringement, and covenants not to compete. He has a particular specialty of addressing franchisee underreporting of sales, tax fraud, and related financial issues, both in and out of court. Bob has worked with major national franchisors to develop cutting edge programs to ensure the honest reporting of sales by franchisees, and to address cases of intentional underreporting, as well as programs addressing many other aspects of the franchise relationship. He is a frequent speaker on franchise topics, and has presented programs at the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association’s Legal Symposium and Annual Convention, and the National Restaurant Association’s Internal Auditors’ Group annual meeting, and to the top executives, legal staff, and operations personnel for many national franchisors.

Bob has tried many cases in federal and state courts throughout the U.S. and has handled many appellate matters. In addition to the franchise matters that he handles, he has litigated cases involving breach of contract, real estate, corporate and insurance coverage issues, product liability, and personal injury.

Bob is a frequent speaker on franchise and litigation issues.

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Education

  • Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1983)
  • Cornell University (B.S., 1980)

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court

Recognitions

  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America©, 2010-2025
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Franchise, 2015-2018
  • The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, 2008-2023
  • Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, 2013-2024
  • Franchise Times, "Legal Eagle," 2014-2020
  • The Washington Post, "Washington DC’s Best Lawyers," 2010

Presentations

  • Facilitator, "Franchise P&Ls: Why Your System Needs Accurate Financial Reporting from its Franchisees, and How to Obtain It," IFA 2021 Annual Convention, February 24, 2021
  • Facilitator, "Roundtables: Franchisee Financial Statements for Franchisors," H.E.A.T. Franchise Summit, August 25 - 27, 2020

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
  • International Franchise Association