Talksiq

I think there are a many distinctions we can make between physical goods like trading cards and the way loot boxes are handled. There may be similar function (you get a closed package with a set of results), but consider that loot boxes are digital and unlike physical goods can't be exchanged with others, they exist in a closed system. If I buy a pack of Magic cards and get a rare that I don't care about I can still potentially sell it to someone for value, conversely in a game like Overwatch a skin I don't care about just sits in my inventory, or at best is a duplicate that gives me a significantly lower value benefit for having a duplicate. Also, my Magic cards are mine, no one can legally take them away, whereas if a player is banned from a lootbox game, or the game is closed, etc, my value is erased. There are of course other factors too, like the very animations and process of getting lootboxes being designed to take advantage of well documented and studied financial factors that physical packs can't (as well), the fact that they can be purchased by clicking and vendors are often lackadaisical in ensuring that kids need parent permission (or as was recently discovered with Facebook, will intentionally omit it).

Edit: This is not to say that one or the other is or is not gambling, just that the presumption that "Lootboxes = Card games" or the like is inaccurate due to relevant distinctions.

My copyright prof liked to say, "It isn't fair use until a judge says it is." Summed up the situation nicely for me.

I think the guaranteed rarities are something Wizards and others did to help prevent accusations of gambling in the legal sense; it adds a level of consistency that reduces the risk, but definitely a form of gambling.

There's still a component of gambling to Magic cards but that is sort of a side-effect. Not everyone is buying packs hoping to get good super valuable cards; they are buying them to get cards to play the game with.

You'll probably get the following advice a ton but it is true. Network like crazy; when you start (or even before) reach out to attorneys in your local area who do what you are interested in doing. Many firms will post client lists, practice areas, matters they've been involved in, blogs, etc. so use that to track them down. Shoot out an email to the ones involved asking if you can get coffee with them to ask about their practice. Keep in touch afterwards. Go to events sponsored by your law school where you can meet attorneys. This can lead you to jobs, but can also lead you to clients as frequently people need to make referrals.

I can speak from experience; I am 100% an introvert by nature, but I am in my current role (I work in a mid-sized firm and work with a variety of startup and emerging companies clients) because of a random coffee meeting I had with another attorney.