Meet Our Attorneys

Building Trust and Lasting Relationships

At Enoch Tarver, we take a unique approach to legal services, prioritizing the development of long-lasting relationships with our clients built on trust and exceptional service. As a full-service law firm, we are dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of both businesses and individuals, offering personalized solutions that adapt to every situation.

Admissions

Georgia Bar
South Carolina Bar

Awards/Honors/Presentations

United Way Alvin W. Vogel Volunteer of the Year
Georgia SHRM HR Leader of the Year

J. Edward Enoch

Attorney

Ed Enoch’s approach to law doesn’t just stem from his expertise and education – although that has served him well. It also comes from his unique personal and professional experiences, from challenges met and overcome, and from approaching his life not as a series of obstacles to be overcome but as endeavors to be met.

Before graduating magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University law school, Ed served his country in the Navy’s Submarine Service as a Nuclear Power Plant operator and Nuclear Power School instructor.

Those early experiences taught him the importance of discipline, focus and teamwork. He brings the same attention to detail and dedication to serving others in his legal practice.

Ed Enoch has practiced law in Augusta his whole legal career, with a focus on representing small businesses and the people who own them. Ed’s practice emphasizes employment law, estate planning, mergers and acquisition, contract law, and real estate law. He has served as legal counsel for the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority since 2003.

Ed is a frequent public speaker on the legal aspects of running a business, including such diverse topics as: Religion in the Workplace, Dealing with Difficult People, and The Legal Risks of Holiday Parties. Outside work, Ed has served on boards for the Family Y, United Way, Leadership Augusta, and the Food Forever Fund. He attends The Church of the Good Shepard Episcopal church and has served in numerous leadership roles there. He is an active Boy Scout leader. Ed is married to Sharon who also practices law in Augusta. Ed has three children and two grandchildren. In his free time, Ed enjoys hiking, golfing, and restoring old vehicles.

Admissions

Florida Bar 1994
S District Court S District Florida 1997
US District Court N District of Florida 1997
Georgia Bar 2017
Florida Dispute Management for Civil Mediators 2005

Awards/Honors/Presentations

Strathmore’s Who’s Who Lifetime Award for Demonstrated Leadership and Achievement in Law
Speaker at Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) 2001-2007
Speaker at Florida Claims Defense Network fraud related conferences 2001-200

Rachel Ray

Attorney

Organizations and Boards
Richmond County Chamber of Commerce | Columbia County Chamber of Commerce| North Augusta Small Business Council| American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) | Congregation Children of Israel, Board of Trustees | Augusta Jewish Museum, Board of Trustees | Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Hailing from Miami, Florida, Rachel Ray joined Enoch Tarver in 2019 bringing with her over 25 years of litigation experience. After obtaining her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Florida, Rachel started her legal career as the Assistant State Attorney for Escambia County, Pensacola, Florida. Her prowess in the courtroom was quickly recognized and she became a partner at Bridgers & Gill,PA where she represented such clients as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes and Ruby Tuesdays. Eventually, Rachel return to her home in South Florida and became a partner at Goldstein & Ray, PA. Her fight for justice and search for the truth made her a sought after speaker and expert in the fields of personal injury, premise liability, and medical fraud. After moving to Augusta, Rachel focused her professional attention on assisting individuals and small businesses in the CSRA and nationwide with contracts, business formations, intellectual property issues, real estate matters and estate planning. Licensed in both Florida and Georgia, Rachel is uniquely positioned to assist individuals and businesses that are transitioning to or from Florida and Georgia.

In her spare time, Rachel has always enjoyed sharing her knowledge and experience: teaching piano to children to help pay her way through school, working as the lead instructor for the Criminal Justice program at Miller-Motte Technical College from 2017-2019, Administrator of the Religious School at Congregation Children of Israel and mentoring young women with an interest in pursuing a legal career. Rachel is a Past President and current Board of Trustee for Congregation Children of Israel where she actively participates in assisting the congregation and community. Rachel is also a current Board of Trustee on the Augusta Jewish Museum.

She also supports the following organizations: American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart & Lung Association, Humane Society, Parks Conservatory and National Wildlife Federation.

Rachel resides in Augusta with her son, and when she is not busy at the firm, Rachel enjoys spending her free time reading, cooking, walking, creating and admiring art, playing/listening to music, but mostly spending time & playing with her son and 2 dogs (Waffles and Obi Wan Kenobi).

Attorney Edward J. Tarver
– a Memorial –

Edward J. “Ed” Tarver was born on July 22, 1959 at Fort Hood, Tx. He was the third child of Maye A. and Sargent First Class Luther E. Tarver. He was born into a military family, but spent his formative years in Augusta. Ed graduated from Glenn Hills High School in 1977, where he was a standout lineman for the Spartan football team. He went on to attend Morehouse College on a football scholarship. After one year, Ed decided to hang up his cleats and returned home to attend Augusta College. While at Augusta College, Ed pledged to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, was Chair of the Student Union, President of the Black Student Union, and was commissioned through the ROTC program. After graduation, Ed began his service in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He attained the rank of Captain and served until his honorable discharge in 1989. During his last year of service, Ed decided to follow a dream cultivated in high school–he entered law school at Oklahoma City University as a night student. He later transferred to and earned his law degree from his beloved University of Georgia School of Law. Ed began his legal career as a federal clerk to the Honorable Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. As his friend and law partner, it was obvious to me how much Judge Bowen affected Ed not only in his law practice but also in his daily life. They remained in close contact for the 30-plus years of Ed’s legal career. Following his clerkship, Ed joined the firm now known as Hull Barrett, rising to become a partner. During his time at Hull Barrett, Ed also served as the State Senator for Georgia’s 22nd district. While in the legislature, Ed had a reputation as someone who could work with others, whether in the same party or across the aisle. He was instrumental in legislation that restructured the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, restructured the State Courts of Richmond County, established the Georgia Trauma Care Network and Georgia Trauma Trust Fund, and legislation ensuring children with disabilities received medically necessary therapy services. Ed was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the first African American United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, coming full circle to the place where his legal career began. Following his term as U.S. Attorney, he joined me as my partner in the firm we continue to call Enoch Tarver in memory of his contributions. While at Enoch Tarver, Ed had a well-deserved reputation for taking on tough cases and for offering pro bono services for those in need. Ed took pride in serving his local and statewide community. He served as Chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Leadership Georgia Foundation, Chairman of the Leadership Augusta Board, President of the Academy of Richmond County Boosters Club, Chairman of the St. Johns’ Towers Advisory Board, President of the Augusta Technical College Board of Directors, President of the East Georgia Easter Seals Society, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Day School. Ed was an active member of Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Mu Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Exchange Club of Augusta, and served on the Boards of Directors of First Community Bank and University Hospital. Ed Tarver was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved practicing law, but more than that he loved his wife, Dr. Carol Thompson Tarver, and his children Eddie, Elizabeth, Riley and Ryan. During their courtship and marriage, Ed and Carol divided their church attendance between Ed’s home church of Doyle Grove Baptist Church, and Carol’s church, St. Marks United Methodist Church. It did not matter what church Ed attended or whether he was a member, he was always looked to as a leader in the congregation. In truth, that happened to Ed wherever he was involved. He was a natural leader and never shied away from taking on those roles. His voice could boom—whether in conflict with opposing counsel or in conversation with friends. His sense of humor was so very dry, it was frequently hard to know if he was joking until you saw the expression on his face. He loved to engage his waiter or waitress by asking them some personal question or pretending to be unhappy about something, just to get a reaction. At the same time, he would come back from a day spent at Heritage Academy teaching young people how to interact with adults and have the biggest smile on his face. Mentoring young interns and summer associates in our firm gave him great satisfaction and contributed significantly to these young people’s development. He kept in touch with many of them long after their time at our firm was over. Edward J. Tarver was a great friend and a great partner, and he is sorely missed.