Ra

*242 *1119 Darren Richie, the former president and chief operating officer of O'Gara Coach Company, LLC, is a principal of Richie Litigation, P.C. O'Gara Coach moved to disqualify Richie Litigation from representing its former senior executive Joseph Ra in litigation, including cross-actions between O'Gara Coach and Ra, arising from allegations by Marcelo Caraveo that O'Gara Coach and Ra had committed fraud in connection with Caraveo's acquisition of luxury vehicles from O'Gara Coach. In support of its motion O'Gara Coach relied on evidence that, while president of O'Gara Coach, Richie had been a client contact for outside counsel investigating the charges of fraudulent conduct that ultimately led to Caraveo's lawsuit. The trial court denied the motion. We reverse.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. Caraveo's Lawsuit, Ra's Cross-complaint and O'Gara's Cross-complaint

In March 2016 Caraveo and two related limited liability companies filed a complaint, and in June 2016 a first amended complaint, against O'Gara Coach, Ra and several other entities asserting causes of action for fraud, *1120 conversion and unfair business practices based on their allegedly wrongful conduct with…