I spent 20 years working in public interest law firms.  We had weekly meetings where we stategized cases.  I spent a good part of that 20 years working on case development.  We plotted and planned, looking for clients, targeting venues, picking courts, etc.  I suspect such sessions were not unique to my places of employment.  I would attend national conferences and hear speakers urging the type of activity now being complained of.

Is this just a matter of degree?

Michael Richardson