Schafer is both a lawyer and scientist with more than 16 years experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry in Australia and New Zealand.

She is a part-time member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and a member of the Association of Regulatory & Clinical Scientists and the Association of Therapeutic Goods Consultants.

Schafer has worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, at both senior management level and in a consultancy capacity. The firm said her legal, regulatory and scientific expertise, combined with practical commercial knowledge and strong business acumen, makes her a welcome addition to the firm.

Piper Alderman managing partner, Gordon Grieve, said: “We are delighted to have someone of [Schafer’s] calibre join our firm. There is nobody in the Australasian market who can offer a mix of legal and scientific skills equivalent to Teresa’s, and certainly no-one else with her industry knowledge and unique legal perspective.”

Teresa’s appointment further strengthens Piper Alderman’s existing Health and Life Sciences team whose clients include pharmaceutical and medical device companies, hospitals, insurers, aged care providers, government authorities, medical researchers and CRCs.