After many years of litigation, I decided to “rezoom” my approach to handling of litigation. My “rezoom” works well for all concerned, and has contributed greatly to my income and my stature as a lawyer.

In my first contact with opposing counsel ( preferably in a phone call), I state the following:
“Ms. Jones, I am going to ask you 2 questions. Please do not interpret these two questions as a sign of weakness in the matter.

My first question is:

“Can this case be settled? If so, lets devote our legal skills to crafting a settlement, instead of wasting the clients’ money and our skills as lawyers on unnecessary litigation expenses.”

If the answer to that question is either “No” or “Not yet”, then my second question is:
“How do you want to play the game? I’m happy to play the game under your rules, I just want to know how you an to handle the case.
If, you want to be reasonable with me, then I’ll be reasonable with you. If you want to be obstructive and scorched earth with me, then I’ll be obstructive and scorched earth with you. If you are reasonable in giving me what I ask for in discovery, then I’ll be reasonable in giving you what you ask for. If you want to require me to make motions and go to court ands run up bills over every little aspect of the case, then we’ll do the same with you. Either way is fine with me. I am prepared and happy to play the game either way. but please let me know. ”

Susan. this approach often results in faster resolution of disputes and lower expenses for the client and quicker, affordable, and collectible fees for me. Additionally, I gain a fair amount of respect from opposing counsel for this approach.

Before “rezooming”, I unintentionally treated many litigated matters as ego and financial matters , thinking only of my personal income and “winning”.
By rezooming, I remind opposing counsel that our role as lawyers is to favor resolution of litigation not creation of disputes and litigation to earn more fees.

I have also communicated that being obnoxious and non cooperative is no threat, I am prepared for war if necessary.

I do not know if this is what you had in mind when you wrote of “Rezooming”.