Hans-Bernd Schäfer (b. 25 May 1943 Münster, Germany) is a German economist and a pioneer in the field of law and economics in Germany and Europe.
Schäfer is professor emeritus at the University of Hamburg and former Director of the Institute of Law & Economics. Currently he is an affiliate professor at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany. He has also taught at various universities abroad, including the George Mason University School of Law (distinguished visiting professor from 2002–2009), University of California at Berkeley School of Law and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research.
Schäfer served as President of the European Association of Law & Economics from 2004–2007 and was Director of the European Master Programme in Law & Economics from 2004–2008.
Professor Schäfer has published extensively in the field of law and economics. Recent publications include the book "Solomon’s Knot: How Law Can End the Poverty of Nations" together with Robert Cooter as well as his leading textbook "The Economic Analysis of Civil Law" (co-authored with Claus Ott) which was also translated into German (original version), Spanish and Chinese. He is co-editor of the International Review of Law and Economics.