Caroline's Commonwealth's Attorney's office has a new face. Diane Abato, a well-known trial lawyer, is the new Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney.

"She's among the very best prosecutors in domestic and sex crimes cases in the Commonwealth. Caroline County is very fortunate to have a prosecutor of her stature," said Commonwealth's Attorney Tony Spencer.

Tuesdays are her days in Caroline.

Abato was a deputy prosecutor in Richmond from 1997 to 2005 and is currently in private practice with the firm Abato and Davis, specializing in criminal defense, domestic relations and personal injury.

She first met Tony Spencer 10 years ago when they were opposing attorneys in a murder case she was prosecuting. Later, Spencer also went to work for the prosecutor's office. It was then they became colleagues and worked together for the first time.

In 2003 Abato was named recipient of the "YWCA Outstanding Woman in Law Award" for her advocacy work helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Also Abato was named the Richmond Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee's "Outstanding Domestic Violence Advocate" in 2005.

Later in 2006, the forensic nurses at VCU Medical Center honored her for her work with victims of sexual assault.

For the past four years Abato has taught an adjunct graduate class for VCU called "Battered Women in the Criminal Justice System." She is a graduate of James Madison University and the William and Mary School of Law.

When she's not in court or advocating victim's rights, Abato is an avid gardenerÑ a gardener that is thrilled about spring.

"I really, really enjoy gardening. I have many flowers and my bulbs are all coming up!" she said.

Abato begins her work with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court and General District court this week.