Fox & Staniland has its origins in the old city firm of Sillar & Madison which was established many years ago. The founders were Ralph Sillar who lived in Pymble, and John Madison who subsequently became the State Minister for Justice and Attorney General and who lived at Wahroonga. David Fox and Richard Staniland became partners in Sillar & Madison and shortly thereafter opened a branch office of that firm at Gordon.

In 1972, following the retirement of Ralph Sillar and John Madison, the partnership was dissolved and David Fox and Richard Staniland continued the practice at Gordon under the new name of Fox & Staniland. The firm has grown since then and there are now eight solicitors including the three partners and a dozen support staff giving them the status of one of the largest firms in the Ku-ring-gai area. Notwithstanding this growth their emphasis is on the giving of personal service to all their clients.