It's a Small World
Good divorce lawyers in a community know each another. They're a tightly knit group: They see each another often in court, they belong to the local family law section of the bar association, they attend continuing education courses together, and they may have a drink together after court to talk about cases and the stresses of their profession. Not only do the lawyers know each other, they also know the family court judges.
Can the same lawyer represent me and my spouse?
A single lawyer cannot represent the interests of both spouses; it's just that simple. Don't believe any lawyer who says she can. Rather than a single lawyer for both parties, you may want to consider a mediator who will act as a neutral party for the negotiation stage of the divorce.
You want your lawyer to know the judge who will decide your divorce. This doesn't mean the judge will be biased in your favor. It means your lawyer will be able to tell you what to expect and how to present issues in the way most likely to get the results you want. Don't be alarmed if the lawyers greet each other or the judge by first names. The fact these folks are friends doesn't mean collusion or bias will occur. It simply reflects the practice of this specialized area of the law.
