Belgium's seal of approval. (international business lawyer Jon E. Denney)

If you're receiving a pension from the Belgian government and you live in Ohio, you'd better get to know Jon E. Denney very well, if you want to keep getting your money.

Denney, a partner and international business lawyer with the Cleveland-based firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, recently was named Honorary Counsul of Belgium for the State of Ohio.

"That is one of my duties," Denney says. "My seal validates that the person receiving the pension actually is alive."

While that duty won't take up much of Denney's time--there are only about 30 such cases in the state--he will devote time to promoting relations between Belgium and Ohio.

"My …