Tamara I. Putnam

With more than 30 years of dedicated service in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Tamara I. Putnam stands out at Carter & Putnam, LLC, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as a tenacious advocate in both criminal defense and personal injury litigation. Drawing on her extensive background as a former state prosecutor, she zealously represents clients facing criminal charges – from misdemeanors and traffic violations (including DWI/DUI) to serious felonies – and skillfully pursues compensation for those injured through no fault of their own. An accomplished scholar as well as athlete, Ms. Putnam earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude in economics from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she held a four-year NCAA women’s basketball scholarship. She went on to obtain her Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law, during which time she co-authored a peer-reviewed article for the Washburn Law Journal: “Will Debtors Win the Battle as Creditors Win the War? Retroactive Recovery of Attorney Fees in Consumer Credit Contracts in Kansas.” Ms. Putnam began her legal career with the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, first as a dedicated drug prosecutor and later as lead of the Violent Gang Crime Unit. In that capacity, she collaborated closely with the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Street Narcotics Unit, prosecuting complex cases involving the manufacture, distribution, and possession of controlled substances. As head of the gang-crime division, Ms. Putnam handled high-profile matters such as armed robbery, assault and shootings into dwellings. Transitioning to private practice, she leverages her insider’s knowledge of prosecutorial strategies to craft vigorous defenses and secure favorable outcomes for her clients. Over the years, Ms. Putnam has broadened her practice to include a full spectrum of personal injury claims – ranging from slip-and-fall accidents to wrongful death suits – in both Missouri and Kansas. Whether defending the accused or holding profit-driven insurers accountable, she combines strategic foresight, courtroom tenacity and an unwavering commitment to justice on behalf of every client she serves.