I was in a jury pool once; and, the prosecution attorney told us that he was next doo neighbors with the defense attorney....a little too close for comfort.
I have litgated in cases against a lawyer who is married to one of my partners. There was no conflict of interest and no problem in terms of getting along with the lawyer. We are friends. I have also had cases where it was against a lawyer I considered a friend but who I lost all respect for because they were so unethical in practice. I firmly believe that the lawyers are supposed to take the emotion out of the case. There are clients who want a lawyer to be an a**hole. They can always find a lawyer who fits that bill. It makes practicing law a pain however.