Amy Carlson, (who recently guest-starred in “Dead Wives Club,” the 2004 premiere episode of "Law & Order") will portray Assistant District Attorney Kelly Gaffney, on NBC’s new “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.” Gaffney works hand-in-glove as a deputy to tough Assistant District Attorney Tracey Kibre (Emmy and Tony winner Bebe Neuwirth). Carlson's Gaffney hails from generations of famous, politically connected New Yorkers -- and serves Kibre well by softening the edges of her boss' full-court press tactics.

Carlson most recently starred in the series "Peacemakers" but is perhaps best known to primetime fans for her work in NBC’s "Third Watch," where her character, firefighter Alex Taylor, met an untimely end. She also starred in the drama series "Falcone" and "St. Michael's Crossing," and recurred on "Get Real."

However, daytime fans still recognize Carlson for her performance in "Another World," for which she received an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1998. Her other TV credits include the movies "If These Walls Could Talk 2," "Thanks of a Grateful Nation" and "Legacy of Lies." Among Carlson's other guest-starring TV credits are NBC’s "ER," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," as well as "NYPD Blue" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Carlson lives in New York. Her birthday is July 7.