They are selective,you're correct.
I wouldn't want them to act like idiotic 1970s style union muppets wasting my subs on unwinnable cases just for the sake of outdated political dogma and muscle flexing either
What I will use them for though, is as a professional association that have experts who can give me up to date informed opinion as to my my legal situation.
This scenario is like not having a survey done on a 300 year old house,or not insuring it,then trying to wriggle out of the bill when it: A.falls over or B.burns down by asking an unknown bloke down the pub for his advice