[oldalum]

 
In point of fact, almost anybody who is knowledgeable about a given topic has conflicts of interest. Some are that you previously worked for X and now love/hate them. 

I would call that experience, not a conflict of interest. No expert can be a tabula rasa for their area of expertise. I think the term in this context should be reserved for more direct financial conflicts of interest, because financial motivation is more readily understandable, disclosable, and dealt with.

[oldalum]

 
In point of fact, almost anybody who is knowledgeable about a given topic has conflicts of interest. Some are that you previously worked for X and now love/hate them. 

I would call that experience, not a conflict of interest. No expert can be a tabula rasa for their area of expertise. I think the term in this context should be reserved for more direct financial conflicts of interest, because financial motivation is more readily understandable, disclosable, and dealt with.