Clifford Chance vs Kirkland & Ellis:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kirkland & Ellis had more branded searches than Clifford Chance among law firms worldwide. Kirkland & Ellis had about 74,000 branded searches, while Clifford Chance had 60,500. Kirkland & Ellis made up 13.6% of all law firm searches we track, and Clifford Chance accounted for 11.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about law firms, Kirkland & Ellis appeared in two of the four answers and Clifford Chance in none.
Who do people search for more?
Kirkland & Ellis, about 22% more searches than Clifford Chance
Who does AI mention more?
Kirkland & Ellis, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Clifford Chance in 0
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Top law firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Kirkland & Ellis was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Clifford Chance did not appear in any of the four answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Kirkland & Ellis2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
DLA Piper1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Baker McKenzie0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Linklaters0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Clifford Chance0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Norton Rose Fulbright0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Allen & Overy0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about law firms
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which law firm should I hire?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best law firms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best law firm for commercial legal work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“law firms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“corporate lawyers”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Clifford Chance or Kirkland & Ellis more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Clifford Chance and Kirkland & Ellis by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight law firms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Kirkland & Ellis, Clifford Chance. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | DLA Piper | Baker McKenzie | Kirkland & Ellis | Linklaters | Clifford Chance | Norton Rose Fulbright | Allen & Overy | Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.5% | 18.5% | 12.5% | 15.2% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 2.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 21.1% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 2.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 5.7% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 76.3% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.93% |
| Jan 2026 | 19.9% | 16.3% | 13.4% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 3.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 21% | 17.2% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 2.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 20% | 16.4% | 13.4% | 16.4% | 11% | 11% | 9% | 2.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.7% | 14.6% | 11.9% | 14.6% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 9.8% | 3.6% |
| May 2026 | 18.8% | 15.4% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 4.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 18.4% | 18.4% | 15% | 12.3% | 10% | 12.3% | 10% | 3.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 18.9% | 15.5% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 6.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 19.8% | 16.2% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 4.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 20.1% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 5% |
How has the Clifford Chance and Kirkland & Ellis comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kirkland & Ellis was ahead of Clifford Chance in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Clifford Chance’s share of searches among law firms worldwide moved from 12.5% to 11.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kirkland & Ellis’ share of searches among law firms worldwide moved from 12.5% to 13.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
How did search popularity change for law firms worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Clifford Chance’s share of searches among law firms worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 10% to 11.1% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Clifford Chance’s and Kirkland & Ellis’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Clifford Chance
1 branded search term
- clifford chance
Kirkland & Ellis
2 branded search terms
- kirkland and ellis
- kirkland ellis
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