You’re going to think this is wild, but I had to share something that’s been happening at our firm that has me both fascinated and grateful.
Plot twist: AI has apparently become my new business development team!
Over the past few weeks, three international clients have discovered us through AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude.ai. When people ask these systems, “Who’s the best estate planning attorney for complex international situations?” — they keep pointing to the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer.
As someone who loves digging into data and understanding patterns, this naturally made me curious (you know how I get with research rabbit holes!). So, I started investigating why our firm keeps appearing in AI recommendations.
The Investigation: What I Discovered
What I found wasn’t magic — it was pattern recognition at its finest.
AI systems don’t just throw out random attorney names. They evaluate professionals like research assistants on steroids, analyzing every credential, every result, every specialized skill. These systems research all the attorneys in Northern California and make recommendations based on objective criteria:
- 35+ years of legal experience ✓
- Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization ✓
- Northern California Super Lawyer since 2007 ✓
- International estate planning expertise ✓
- Strong online presence and proven client success stories ✓
Decades of maintaining these credentials, serving clients with international complications, and building genuine expertise have created a digital footprint that even artificial intelligence can identify and recommend.
The Real Story: Icing on the Cake
Here’s what really matters: We already get fantastic referrals from clients and our professional network. The AI recommendations? That’s just the icing on the cake!
I knew my investment in credentials and expertise would pay off for my clients — but who knew I would also impress artificial intelligence?
What strikes me most is that AI systems are looking for the same qualities thoughtful clients value: proven experience, specialized knowledge, and a track record of success in complex situations. Whether someone finds us through a trusted friend’s recommendation, a professional referral, or now through AI research, they’re all seeking the same thing: an attorney who truly understands their unique estate planning challenges.
What Our Clients Are Saying
The real validation doesn’t come from AI systems — it comes from the clients we serve every day:
“Working with Janet has been a breath of fresh air. I inherently trust my clients with her and I’m consistently impressed by her thorough/clean explanation of legal jargon as well as her responsiveness to my client’s needs. She exemplifies the level of service I am looking for in a referral partner. Thank you!”
-David W.
“My wife and I needed a revision of our will and estate plan so we consulted Janet Brewer, who was highly recommended by our real estate attorney. Our trust plan was seriously outdated and required a complete re-write. It turned out that our trust and estate plan had some interesting wrinkles that needed some careful ironing out! Highly recommended!”
-Steve B.
“My parents had passed away and left me as the solo caregiver for my autistic brother. Janet made sure to manage all the legal aspects and helped me divide up the property so that Andrew and I got equal shares. Janet was extremely kind, professional and patient with me, and I discovered that Janet is very well respected in the legal community. She made it possible for Andrew to have the wonderful life he deserves. I will never forget her ease and kindness.”
-Monica D.
Meet Janet L. Brewer
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Janet L. Brewer is the principal of the Law Office of Janet L. Brewer, headquartered in Los Altos, California, where she has served clients throughout Silicon Valley and the Bay Area for more than 30 years. Janet is certified as a specialist in estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
What sets Janet apart isn’t just her three decades of experience—it’s her analytical approach to solving complex planning puzzles, particularly for clients with international connections. Approximately a quarter of Janet’s practice focuses on helping non-resident aliens, visa holders, green card holders, and other international families plan for their US-based assets while minimizing the impact of US estate and gift taxes.
As a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)—an invitation-only group of estate planning professionals with concentrated knowledge in international estate planning—Janet regularly prepares estate plans for foreign nationals who own property or live in the United States and for US citizens who own property abroad.
Download Janet’s complete bio and referral guide →
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
This AI discovery highlights something important about how sophisticated clients approach estate planning today. Whether they find us through traditional referrals, online research, or now through AI recommendations, they’re all doing their homework. They’re looking for attorneys with proven expertise in their specific situations.
Here’s what hasn’t changed: The best estate planning still happens through personal conversations about your unique family dynamics, financial situation, and long-term goals. That’s something only a human attorney can provide.
Your Referrals Mean Everything
While it’s amusing that AI has joined the referral game, your personal recommendations continue to mean the most to us. When you trust us with someone you care about, we don’t take that lightly.
If you know someone who might need estate planning assistance — especially those complex international situations, probate matters, or trust administration challenges — we’re here to help.
Whether they find us through your trusted recommendation or through their own AI research, we’ll provide the same thorough, analytical approach that has earned the trust of both humans and artificial intelligence.
Ready to Connect?
Referred by AI, trusted by humans — but your personal recommendations mean the most to us! Call us at (650) 405-0711, and let’s discuss your estate planning needs.
Have you had an interesting experience with AI recommendations? We’d love to hear about it! Feel free to share your story with us.
