(Image courtesy of Roku)
Biglaw attorneys know very well that when they can’t take the heat, it’s time to get out of the kitchen. However, for some, the heat is fine, and all they need is a new kitchen. These old Skadden attorneys took that very seriously, and now, instead of cooking up legal arguments, they’re baking delicious cookies.
Meet Tania Sweis and Jahan Shahryar, co-founders of Brune Kitchen. Berkeley Law students recently starred in Season 2 of Side Hustlers, a documentary produced by Reese Witherspoon starring Emma Grede (CEO of Good American and co-founder of SKIMS) and Ashley Graham (model and entrepreneur) on Roku Channel. This exciting season chronicles the emotional journey of former business advocates as they build their brand, hoping to find life-changing investments while receiving valuable insights along the way from hosts Grede and Graham.
Check out the trailer for the new season of Side Hustlers, below.
As first-generation women of color, Tania and Jahan’s company, Brune Kitchen, combines clean, heritage-inspired ingredients like tahini and tigernuts with the classic American traditions they grew up with. featuring a new American table that celebrates diversity and inclusion. In addition to running their own business, the former Biglaw partners now practice law part-time, so to say their schedules are full would be an understatement.
“The hours involved are still the same as Biglaw.” – Jahan SHAHRYAR
Together, they’ve created what appears to be a great, best-selling product, and during the final Side Hustlers session, Grede said, “When I look at you both… When asked if this time how it made them feel, Jahan said, “That was very emotional, I think about both of us. My family is from Afghanistan, and my father came here with a dream as an entrepreneur, so it felt like I was living the dream he told me to fulfill. I felt very grateful to my family, and I felt very proud.” Tania repeated those words, saying, “We had the opportunity to expand the dreams of our fathers, where it is not just trying to live, but trying to do what really makes you happy and make a difference. For us, our work at Brune is like the next version of the American dream.”
Although the lawyers-turned-chefs have left Skadden, they say the firm has been incredibly supportive of their new venture. “Skadden has been amazing,” said Tania of Above the Law. “Recently we had an alumni event with the company where they highlighted Brune. They bought cakes for all the women in the office and all the alumni and they made a little speech at the beginning to introduce us. That was really I know we’re out of line, but Skadden was an amazing experience and we’re very grateful.”
When asked how she was able to make the transition from lawyer to chef, Tania told Above the Law that, at first, it was not easy. “Your identity and self-worth is tied up in your work. When it becomes such a part of you, it makes it very difficult to redefine yourself if you want to do something else. What we had to realize is that your value does not come from your work.”
“You could have done anything. Your worth comes from who you are, and no matter what your job is, if you value yourself and bring your best to it, that’s where the power comes from. . ” — Tania Sweis
Jahan agreed, saying, “I always remind myself that we are creating the life of our dreams, so when it seems difficult or when the days are long, there is help. And having Tania by my side made it so much better. I don’t know what I can do without him.” Tania smiled, and was touched by her friend’s words, she answered softly, “I don’t know what I can do without you, Jahan.”
How did Tania and Jahan do in this competition? While we won’t spoil the fun, we will say that their noise has become the noise of all time. Tune in to the Roku Channel to watch the official dynamos behind Brune Kitchen in action.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she has worked since 2011. She would love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with tips, questions, comments, or feedback any. You can follow him X/Twitter and Threads or connect with him on LinkedIn.
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