Judges' conflict of interest

[MrMonk]

Is a federal judge prohibited from sitting for cases where his former employer (or industry) is a party?

Bush Nominates New Federal Judge for N.Y.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush-Judicial.html

"President Bush nominated telecommunications executive Paul Crotty on Tuesday to be a U.S. district judge in the Southern District of New York. <snip>

Since 1997, Crotty has been group vice president for Verizon Communications for public policy and external affairs for New York and Connecticut."

There is, also, no mention of experience that might qualify him for a judgeship. I cannot locate a bio for this guy that is more informative than the one in the article.

Edit: I did find more info here: http://www.gothamgazette.com/rebuilding_nyc/features/ReconstructionWatch1.PDF
Crotty apparently is a long-time player in NYC politics. He is also a repeat Dem contributor.
I'd still be concerned about his corporate connection.

Edit: Crotty has also served on many NYC committees and foundations, and has a history of recusing himself from even discussing matters that involved Verizon or others of his interests. Maybe this isn't a guy to worry about.