Conflict of interest

(a) A Committee member who has or has had a lawyer-client relationship or a financial relationship with a claimant or lawyer who is the subject of a claim shall not participate in the investigation or adjudication of a claim involving that claimant, lawyer or licensed paralegal practitioner. (b) A Committee member with a past or present relationship, other than as provided in paragraph (a), with a claimant, the lawyer or the licensed paralegal practitioner whose alleged conduct is the subject of a claim, shall disclose such relationship to the Committee and, if the Committee deems appropriate, that Committee member shall not participate in any proceeding relating to such claim.