Practice areas: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Missouri since: 1995
Education: Washburn University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025 Call today:
816-246-8881
Free Consultation Carter & Putnam, LLC
211 NW Executive WaySuite G
Lee's Summit, MO 64063 Visit website
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.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
DUI/DWI, Traffic Violations
- 70% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Criminal Defense
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1995, Missouri
Professional Webpage: http://www.carterputnam.com/tamara-putnam/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Kansas, 1995
- Missouri, 1996
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Tamara successfully won an Administrative Hearing on behalf of my client, A. Y. The Missouri State Highway Patrol officer failed to complete a proper mouth check injunction with a 15-minute observation period before making her take a Blood Alcohol Concentration/Content (BAC) breath test. Won the administrative hearing and protected A. Y. from suffering any alcohol suspension on her license for blowing over. 08., 2025
- City of Kansas vs. S. G - Successfully resolved a claim against the City of Kansas City for failure to maintain a pool grate. My wonderful client literally fell through a pool grate because the city of KC did not replace a worn, cracked pool cover, 2025
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified in the administration of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, 2014
Honors
- Ms. Putnam was selected as one of the top 100 Trial Lawyers., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Superlawyers for Missouri and Kansas, Superlawyers, 2025
- Ms. Putnam was selected as one of the top 100 Trial Lawyers., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2016
Educational Background
- University of Missouri - St. Louis, B.S., Major: Economics, Honor: Cum Laude, Honor: NCAA women’s basketball scholarship, 1992
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Present in front of lawyers regarding changes in DUI law. Present and discuss new cases that have come down from the Missouri Court of Appeals and Missouri Supreme Court during the calendar year of 2020 for other attorneys seeking CLE credits., Presenter, DUI Update of the Law, UMKC School of Law, 2021
- Ms. Putnam is a featured speaker and presented for the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law on DUI Case Law Update to other attorney's seeking CLE hourly credits., Featured Presenter, DUI Update of the Law, UMKC School of Law, 2019
- Present in front of lawyers regarding changes in DUI law. Present and discuss new cases that have come down from the Missouri Court of Appeals and Missouri Supreme Court during the calendar year of 2020 for other attorneys seeking CLE credits., Presenter, DUI Update of the Law, UMKC School of Law, 2020
- Ms. Putnam is a featured speaker and presented for the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law on Traffic Stops., Speaker, Traffic Stops, 2018
- Ms. Putnam is a featured speaker for the University of Missouri Kansas City for DUI Update., Presenter, DUI Update, University of Missouri Kansas City, 2018
- Auto Accidents
- Insurance Claims
- Wrongful Death Insurance Claims
Office location for Tamara I. Putnam
211 NW Executive Way
Suite G
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Phone: 816-246-8881
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025
