A Day in the Life of a Senior Client Intake Assistant, Maelo Manning, Burges Salmon

Welcome to our blog series – A Day in the Life – where we demystify risk and compliance careers by sharing the insights and experiences of professionals to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their workday.

Navigating a career in risk and compliance can be confusing - a title at one firm may have a very different set of responsibilities than at another. By pulling back the curtain, we hope to shed light on what different professionals in different environments do and the challenges they face, and to show how diverse and rewarding a career in risk and compliance can be.

As a Senior Client Intake Assistant at Burges Salmon, an independent UK Law Firm, Maelo Manning ensures every client’s journey starts smoothly. She shares what goes on behind the scenes in her role.

How did you get into law firm risk and compliance? How did you first find out about this career path? Why did you choose to work in this space?

My academic background—first in Politics, Philosophy and Law, then International Law and International Relations—shaped my interest in careers at the intersection of legal systems and political structures. I was particularly drawn to regulatory frameworks and their practical application.

That interest was reinforced by my work at the Security Industry Authority, where I helped to ensure compliance with security regulations. This experience gave me early exposure to risk management and governance.

I later encountered law firm risk and compliance more directly while speaking to individuals at law firms when considering my career path. I quickly recognised it as a field aligned with my interests and skill set. It offered the opportunity to engage with complex legal and ethical issues while playing a key role in the firm’s strategic and operational integrity.

Tell us about your career journey so far and how it led you to your current role. What were the key roles and experiences that prepared you to get your current position?

I began my career in a regulatory role at the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which gave me a strong grounding in compliance and public protection standards. From there, I moved into the legal sector, where I developed a specialism in AML and sanctions compliance.

Alongside my professional roles, I’ve undertaken legal research projects and volunteered with organisations such as Advocate. These experiences broadened my perspective on ethical risk and public perception, helping me understand the reputational implications of compliance decisions.

At RPC, I worked on international matters across the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore, which strengthened my understanding of cross-jurisdictional compliance. My current role at Burges Salmon builds on that experience—I manage high-risk client intake, deliver internal due diligence training, and have learnt more about firm-wide risk strategy as part of a risk committee. Each role has given me an understanding of different legal sectors, jurisdictions and how a changing regulatory landscape impacts firms’ decisions.

What does a typical day look like in your role? Tell us about your responsibilities and what you get up to on a day-to-day basis.

I spend a lot of time reviewing new matters and carrying out AML and sanctions checks, especially for higher-risk clients. That often involves digging into a client’s background, looking at corporate structures or political exposure, and flagging anything unusual.

I also work closely with lawyers to clarify risks or gather more context, and I regularly chat with my team about how we can improve the way we work, whether that’s updating guidance or finding quicker, clearer ways to handle tricky issues.

If someone shadowed you for a day, what do you think would surprise them the most?

I think they’d be surprised by how much detective work is involved. It’s not just ticking boxes—we often have to dig deep into clients’ backgrounds, make judgment calls on grey areas, and stay alert to geopolitical shifts that could impact risk. They might also be surprised by how collaborative the work is—I spend a lot of time talking with lawyers and my team to make sure we’re getting things right.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?

It’s rewarding to know that the work we do has a real-world impact. Money laundering often sits at the tail end of serious crimes like tax evasion, terrorist financing, or drug trafficking, so catching red flags early feels meaningful. There’s a sense of responsibility in helping to prevent that kind of harm.

I also really value the collaborative nature of the role. Whether it’s working through a tricky matter with a lawyer or finding better ways of doing things as a team, there’s a strong sense of shared purpose.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?

One of the biggest challenges is navigating grey areas—situations that aren’t clear-cut but still carry risk. It takes a lot of judgment, especially when working with limited information or under time pressure.

There’s also the constant need to stay up to date. Regulations, political landscapes, and client structures can all shift quickly, so staying informed and adapting fast is key.

What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned while working in law firm risk and compliance?

I’ve learned the importance of staying curious and asking the right questions—even when something seems routine. Small details can reveal bigger risks, so it’s essential not to make assumptions.

I’ve also learned that good communication is just as important as technical knowledge. Being able to explain complex issues clearly and calmly, especially under pressure, makes a real difference.

What skills and attributes do you think are needed to excel in a law firm risk and compliance career?

Attention to detail is essential, but so is the ability to see the bigger picture and understand how different risks connect. Strong research skills, critical thinking, and a good grasp of global affairs are also key, especially when working with high-risk clients or international matters. Patience is also important when wading through pages of information!

Equally important are communication and teamwork. You need to be able to explain your reasoning clearly, build trust with colleagues, and work together to find practical solutions.

How do you think the risk and compliance space will change over the next 10 years? What challenges do you think law firm risk and compliance professionals will face in the future?

Over the next decade, I think the pace and complexity of regulatory change will continue to accelerate, driven by global instability, evolving sanctions regimes, and growing scrutiny around financial transparency and ESG-related risks. Compliance teams will need to be more agile, tech-literate, and globally aware than ever before.

One major challenge will be adapting to increasingly sophisticated financial crime, particularly as technologies like cryptocurrency are used to obscure ownership and facilitate cross-border transactions. Keeping pace with these tools—and the regulations around them—will be essential.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this day in the life of a compliance professional!

We hope these pieces can offer useful insights, as there’s a lot to learn from each professional’s perspective, so make sure to explore the rest of the series to gain even more insights. 

If you’re curious to learn more - or you just want to chat about your next step in compliance - don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to discuss opportunities, provide support, and help you navigate your journey in compliance. 

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