Meet Jason Klika! Jason is a Marketing & Business Development Manager for HMB Legal Counsel and serves as President-Elect of the LMA Midwest Region Board of Directors. In this week’s spotlight, Jason shares more about his second life as a musician, his favorite thing about volunteering for LMA, and more.
Tell us your story – where do you work and what do you do? HMB is a mid-sized law firm in Chicago with significant corporate, state and local tax, real estate, trusts and estates, litigation and bankruptcy practices. I tell people we “punch above our weight class” because our attorneys work on sophisticated matters, often at the referral of firms significantly larger than us. Seriously. Check it out, I’m sure your people know my people! As for what I do, the short answer is everything. I manage a small team and we’ve done everything from a full rebrand of the firm to, communications, to onboarding, to BD coaching, etc. If it’s in the Body of Knowledge, we do it. As a member of the firm’s management team, I see myself as a steward of the firm and its culture. That can look like a lot of things but generally, I try to make everyone’s day a little better.
What do you enjoy most about being an LMA volunteer? It depends on the day! Sometimes it’s being able to take an idea that I think others might be interested in and turning it into a program for 60+ people to watch on their lunch break. Sometimes is being able to encourage others to do the same. Sometimes it’s being able to text someone with questions about stuff I’m working on. Most of the time, it’s being able to stretch, improve and grow. Always, it’s the people I’m lucky to work with.
What are your hobbies? In another life, I’m a musician. I write, sing and perform songs. It’s been about 2 years since I’ve gigged, so I need to circle back on this one! Mostly, I’m a dad to a 2-year-old. And that is better than any hobby or job I’ve ever had.
What was the best vacation you’ve ever been on? My honeymoon in South Africa (Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Franschhoek Valley).
What travel spot is on your bucket list? Egypt.
Jason in Cape Town
Jason and his daughter, Hazel
Uncommon Ground
If you could time travel, where’s the first place you would go? First? That’s hard. How about Carnegie Hall on Jan. 16, 1938, to see Benny Goodman jam with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. THEN I would walk over to the Savoy Hall and see Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald in a battle of the bands vs Count Basie and Billie Holliday. I still can’t believe that happened over the span of hours.
What book are you currently reading? Atomic Habits, James Clear (MW book club, May 31!) + Don’t Fear the Reaper, Stephen Graham Jones
What would the title of your autobiography be? “It are go good with pizza”
Who was your top artist on Spotify Wrapped last year? Harry Styles <3
What was your first live concert? Ronnie James Dio + The Scorpions + Deep Purple
What TV show are you currently streaming? Great Expectations
If you could appear on any game show, which one would you choose? The Floor is Lava
What’s your favorite movie? The 5th Element
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Jason Segel
Do you have any pets? If so, what’s your favorite thing about them? Oscar, our 14 year old pit/hound. He’s just as cuddly as he was at 1 year. Maybe a little grumpier, but I don’t blame him.
Oscar
What’s your favorite dessert? Anything from Big Fat Cookie in Chicago. Check out their Insta. Thank me later.
Which 3 famous people would you invite to a dinner party? Paul McCartney, Barack Obama, Lady Gaga
Which marketing leader do you most admire? Seth Godin!
What’s the best career advice that someone has ever given you? Take your work seriously, not personally.