Lawyer and scientist Dr Teresa Schafer has joined Piper Alderman's Sydney office as a partner in the corporate group.

With more than 16 years experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry in Australia and New Zealand, Schafer has worked extensively at both a senior management level and in a consultancy capacity.

Schafer's appointment strengthens the firm's health and life sciences team whose clients include pharmaceutical and medical device companies, hospitals, insurers, aged care providers, government authorities and medical researchers.