Dr. Nina Bayerl (née Schäffner)

Nina is a trusted adviser in intellectual property law, helping clients successfully navigate complex patent disputes in particular in the life sciences and tech sectors. Her multidisciplinary approach enables businesses to address complicated legal challenges while protecting and optimising the value of their intellectual property.

Nina specialises in simplifying complexity where different legal challenges collide, addressing issues at intersection of patent law, pharmaceutical law, national reimbursement rules, competition and antitrust law. With in-depth sector expertise, she offers integrated advice aligned with clients’ commercial objectives. 

In addition, Nina provides comprehensive counsel on contracts dealing with IP rights, as well as on IP issues in the context of international transactions.

Nina regularly acts as lead counsel in complex patent litigation in front of German courts and the Unified Patent Court. She is particularly proud of the Freshfields team representing clients both on the offense and defense side across all sectors at the forefront of the newly established Unified Patent Court. 

Nina regularly speaks and publishes on IP matters. She is a member of the editorial board of the GRUR Patent, a practitioner-focussed publication addressing the most important current issues in patent matters in Europe. She was named one of “40 under 40” by Capital, one of Germany’s leading business magazines, and one of “Europe’s Best Up-and-Coming Female Lawyers” by law.com.

Before joining Freshfields, Nina wrote a doctoral thesis on patent strategies within...