Brown & Bates vs Carlile Dowling:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Carlile Dowling had more branded searches than Brown & Bates among Napier law firms in New Zealand. Carlile Dowling had about 220 branded searches, while Brown & Bates had 20. Carlile Dowling made up 18% of all Napier law firm searches we track, and Brown & Bates accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Napier law firms, Carlile Dowling appeared in all three answers and Brown & Bates in two. Carlile Dowling was mentioned before Brown & Bates in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Carlile Dowling, about 11 searches for every 1 for Brown & Bates
Who does AI mention more?
Carlile Dowling, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Carlile Dowling, named ahead of Brown & Bates in every answer
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Top Napier law firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Carlile Dowling appeared in all three answers. Brown & Bates was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Carlile Dowling was listed before Brown & Bates in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Langley Twigg Law3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sainsbury Logan & Williams3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Carlile Dowling3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Willis Legal2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Brown & Bates2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Legal Matters1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Goodwill Law0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about Napier law firms
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which law firm should I hire in Napier, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best law firms in Napier, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best law firm in Napier, New Zealand for legal advice?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“lawyer napier”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“family lawyer napier”
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 New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Brown & Bates or Carlile Dowling more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Brown & Bates and Carlile Dowling by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Napier law firms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Carlile Dowling, Brown & Bates. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Willis Legal | Langley Twigg Law | Sainsbury Logan & Williams | Carlile Dowling | Legal Matters | Brown & Bates | Goodwill Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 40% | 24.6% | 18.5% | 13.1% | 2.3% | 0.77% | 0.77% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.8% | 30.2% | 17.9% | 12.3% | 1.9% | 0.94% | 0.94% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.6% | 34.3% | 18.6% | 10.7% | 1.4% | 0.71% | 0.71% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.1% | 27.5% | 22.5% | 14.1% | 1.4% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.2% | 29.1% | 20% | 12.7% | 1.8% | 0.61% | 0.61% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.3% | 31% | 19% | 13.5% | 1.6% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| May 2026 | 34.6% | 35.3% | 14% | 13.2% | 1.5% | 0.74% | 0.74% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.1% | 31.7% | 17.1% | 12.2% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 0.81% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.4% | 32.2% | 19% | 13.2% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.4% | 32% | 18.9% | 10.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.82% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.6% | 29.5% | 17.4% | 12.9% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.76% |
| Oct 2026 | 31.1% | 26.2% | 18.9% | 18% | 3.3% | 1.6% | 0.82% |
How has branded search for Brown & Bates and Carlile Dowling changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Carlile Dowling was ahead of Brown & Bates in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Brown & Bates’ share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand moved from 0.77% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 20.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Carlile Dowling’s share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand moved from 13.1% to 18%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 170 to 220.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Napier law firms in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, Carlile Dowling gained share of searches among Napier law firms in New Zealand, from 12.9% to 18%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Brown & Bates in New Zealand rose 100% over 12 measured months, from 10 to 20 in October 2026.
How are Brown & Bates’ and Carlile Dowling’s branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Brown & Bates’ and Carlile Dowling’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.
Brown & Bates
2 branded search terms
- brown & bates
- brown and bates
Carlile Dowling
4 branded search terms
- carlile dowling
- carlile dowling lawyers
- carlile dowling napier
- carlile dowling solicitors
Other head-to-heads among Napier law firms

Willis Legal vs Langley Twigg Law: compare popularity
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Langley Twigg Law vs Sainsbury Logan & Williams: compare popularity
Langley Twigg Law vs Carlile Dowling: compare popularity

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