Brandwave

MinterEllisonRuddWatts vs Simpson Grierson:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Simpson Grierson had more branded searches than MinterEllisonRuddWatts among large commercial law firms in New Zealand. Simpson Grierson had about 2,950 branded searches, while MinterEllisonRuddWatts had 2,620. Simpson Grierson made up 16.2% of all large commercial law firm searches we track, and MinterEllisonRuddWatts accounted for 14.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about large commercial law firms, MinterEllisonRuddWatts and Simpson Grierson each appeared in four of the five answers. MinterEllisonRuddWatts was mentioned before Simpson Grierson in four out of five answers.

Among large commercial law firms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Simpson Grierson, about 13% more searches than MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Simpson Grierson 3K searchesMinterEllisonRuddWatts 2.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts in 4 of 5Simpson Grierson in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

MinterEllisonRuddWatts, named ahead of Simpson Grierson in 4 of 5 answers

MinterEllisonRuddWatts first in 4Simpson Grierson first in 1

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Top large commercial law firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MinterEllisonRuddWatts was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Simpson Grierson was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. MinterEllisonRuddWatts was listed before Simpson Grierson in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Bell Gully1st
  2. Chapman Tripp2nd
  3. Russell McVeagh3rd
  4. MinterEllisonRuddWatts4th
  5. Simpson Grierson5th
  6. Buddle Findlay6th
  7. DLA Piper7th
  8. Dentons8th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Russell McVeagh5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Chapman Tripp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bell Gully5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Simpson Grierson4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • DLA Piper3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Buddle Findlay2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Dentons2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about large commercial law firms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is MinterEllisonRuddWatts or Simpson Grierson more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for MinterEllisonRuddWatts and Simpson Grierson by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight large commercial law firms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts and Simpson Grierson among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Simpson Grierson, MinterEllisonRuddWatts. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRussell McVeaghSimpson GriersonChapman TrippMinterEllisonRuddWattsBell GullyBuddle FindlayDentonsDLA Piper
Oct 202516.8%16.4%13.4%13.9%13.5%13.4%9.3%3.3%
Nov 202519.6%15.5%15.3%12.5%12.8%12.7%8.6%3.1%
Dec 202517%16.4%16.2%13.4%12.9%12.8%8.7%2.6%
Jan 202617.3%16.9%13.1%11.6%16.8%13.1%7.8%3.3%
Feb 202617.7%14%13.8%14.2%13.9%13.8%8.6%4.2%
Mar 202614.5%14.4%14.1%12%14.2%14.1%9.1%7.6%
Apr 202615.9%15.3%15.1%13%15.3%12.5%8.3%4.6%
May 202614.9%14.7%14.4%13%18%12%9.4%3.6%
Jun 202616.8%16.5%13.5%13.3%13.6%13.5%8.8%4%
Jul 202617.6%17.3%14.1%12.1%14.1%14.1%6.5%4.2%
Aug 202616.1%15.7%15.5%13.2%12.9%15.5%7.4%3.8%
Sep 202616.4%16.2%15.9%14.4%13.3%13.3%7.3%3.2%

How has the MinterEllisonRuddWatts and Simpson Grierson comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand large commercial law firms in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, MinterEllisonRuddWatts overtook Buddle Findlay to rank 4th among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, with 14.4% of the searches.

How are branded searches counted?

9 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ and Simpson Grierson’s 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.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts

6 branded search terms

  • Minter Ellison
  • minter ellison lawyers
  • minter ellison rudd watts
  • minterellison
  • minterellison rudd watts
  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Simpson Grierson

3 branded search terms

  • simpson and grierson
  • Simpson Grierson
  • simpson grierson lawyers

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among large commercial law firms

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