Tens don't marry ones. It's not your fault. It is not your life. Keep your distance from all clients. For some that simply means lunch meetings are fine, but no socializing with family members.
Some corporate practices require the attorney and client to be particularly close.
Well-established boundaries mean that your phone number can be in the book and the clients do not abuse the privilege. Well established boundaries also mean that you can try a case in front of a judge, get a result that is absoulutly contrary to every law known to all humankind and still exchange a friendly greeting with that judge the next morning. The irony for the lay person is that we can engage in vigorous litigation with a dear friend on the other side and have dinner together the next weekend. We have to be able to separate our selves from our roles. Professional Personal paid not paid time-limited may be forever structured spontaneous power over more equal power greater responsibility equal responsibility requires preparation does not orientation, training, contractual agreement personal choice can I work with this person do I like this person Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries is the responsibility of the professional, not the client.