Mercedes Jackson: Expert in Debt Finance and Corporate Governance

Mercedes Jackson is a highly accomplished attorney at Fredrikson & Byron, specializing in navigating complex debt finance transactions and providing expert counsel on corporate governance and financing compliance. Her extensive experience spans representing a diverse clientele, from corporate borrowers and private equity firms to leading financial institutions.

With a focus on secured and unsecured commercial lending, Mercedes expertly advises on acquisition financings, senior, second-lien, and mezzanine financing structures, secured bond offerings, debt restructurings, and debtor-in-possession financings. Her deep understanding of the intricacies of financial law makes her a trusted advisor in high-stakes financial dealings.

As a shareholder in Fredrikson’s Private Equity Group and Banking and Finance Department, Mercedes brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to her roles. Prior to joining Fredrikson, her career included a significant tenure as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago, a prestigious AmLaw 50 firm, further solidifying her reputation in the legal and financial sectors.

Core Competencies

Mercedes Jackson offers a comprehensive suite of legal services tailored to the nuanced needs of her clients in the financial domain. Her areas of expertise include:

Debt Financing Transactions: Providing strategic counsel and representation in all aspects of debt financing, ensuring transactions are structured and executed effectively.
Compliance and Corporate Governance: Advising clients on maintaining compliance with financing and corporate governance documents, mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory adherence.
Commercial Lending: Expertise in secured and unsecured commercial lending transactions, catering to diverse financial needs and objectives.
Acquisition Financing: Guiding clients through the complexities of financing acquisitions, ensuring seamless and legally sound processes.
Debt Restructuring: Providing strategic solutions and legal expertise in debt restructuring scenarios, helping clients navigate financial challenges and optimize outcomes.
Private Equity Transactions: Deep involvement in private equity deals, offering comprehensive legal support from financing to compliance.

Key Experience Highlights

Mercedes Jackson’s extensive track record demonstrates her capability in handling sophisticated financial transactions. Her representative experience includes:

Litigation Finance Fund Transactions: Successfully represented a litigation finance fund in establishing a $75,000,000 commercial paper facility and a $25,000,000 receivables facility, showcasing her skill in structuring complex financial instruments.
National Packaging Company Financing: Advised a national packaging company in securing a $100,000,000 senior secured credit facility and a $250,000,000 shelf facility, demonstrating her ability to handle large-scale financing needs for major corporations.
National Liquor Distributor Credit Facility: Represented a national liquor distributor in a $250,000,000 revolving credit facility, highlighting her expertise in managing significant revolving credit agreements.
Mezzanine Lender Acquisition Financing: Acted for a mezzanine lender in a $25,000,000 acquisition financing and related intercreditor negotiations for a US-based manufacturer, demonstrating her proficiency in complex, multi-party financial deals.
Cross-Border Financial Transactions: Represented both Canadian banks and US subsidiaries of European borrowers in matters concerning guarantees and security documentation for US assets, indicating her competence in international financial law.
Technology Sector Lending: Advised an international technology company on secured and unsecured loans to strategic partners, showcasing her adaptability across diverse industries.
Private Equity Acquisition Financing: Consistently represented private equity groups and target companies in acquisition financing, including senior and mezzanine secured credit facilities, note purchase agreements, and critical intercreditor negotiations.
Major Retail Acquisition Financing: Played a key role in the $1,700,000,000 senior secured asset-based and term loan facilities for a private equity group’s acquisition of a national department store retailer, marking her involvement in landmark transactions.
Department Store Retailer Credit Facility Restructuring: Represented a national department store retailer in amending and restating its existing senior secured revolving credit facility, demonstrating her expertise in optimizing existing financial structures.
Paper Manufacturing Company Acquisition Financing: Facilitated a private equity group’s acquisition of a paper manufacturing company through $975,000,000 senior secured first-lien credit facilities and a $260,700,000 secured second-lien term loan facility.
Craft Industry Acquisition Financing: Managed the financing for a private equity group’s acquisition in the craft industry, involving $650,000,000 senior secured first-lien credit facilities, $225,000,000 secured second-lien credit facilities, and $75,000,000 unsecured facilities.
Automotive Supply Company DIP Financing and Exit Financing: Provided critical representation to a tier-1 automotive supply company in debtor-in-possession financing ($115,000,000 senior secured revolving and $170,000,000 senior secured term loan facilities) and subsequent exit financing ($110,000,000 senior secured revolving and $83,750,000 second-lien secured term loan credit facility) during its successful reorganization.
Fortune 500 Power Company DIP Financing: Represented a Fortune 500 power company and its subsidiaries in a substantial $2,000,000,000 revolving and term loan debtor-in-possession credit facility, navigating complex financial challenges for major corporations.
Radio Company Financing: Advised a radio company in securing a $386,000,000 senior secured term loan facility and a $25,000,000 senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility.
Television Programming Entity Secured Notes Issuance: Represented a joint owner in a television programming entity in the issuance of $119,000,000 senior secured notes.
Corporate Relocation Company Financing: Acted for an international corporate relocation company in obtaining a $150,000,000 senior secured term loan facility and a $50,000,000 senior secured revolving credit facility.

Credentials and Recognition

Mercedes Jackson’s outstanding legal career is underpinned by her strong educational foundation and professional accolades:

Education

Yale Law School, J.D., 2005: Graduated from one of the nation’s top law schools, demonstrating a commitment to legal excellence.
The Ohio State University, B.A., 2002, magna cum laude: Achieved high honors in her undergraduate studies, indicative of her academic prowess.

Admissions

Minnesota, 2014
Illinois, 2005

Recognition

Best Lawyers in America, Banking and Finance Law, 2025: Recognized by her peers for excellence in Banking and Finance Law, a testament to her standing in the legal community.
40 Under 40 Honoree, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2020: Honored as a top professional under 40, highlighting her early career achievements and leadership potential.
Phi Beta Kappa: Membership in Phi Beta Kappa signifies her exceptional academic achievements and commitment to liberal arts and sciences.

Professional and Civic Engagements

Mercedes Jackson actively contributes to both the legal profession and the broader community:

Professional Activities

American Bar Association: Active member of the ABA, engaging with the national legal community.
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow, 2017: Participated in LCLD, demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Women Corporate Directors Pipeline Initiative, Cohort III: Involved in initiatives promoting women’s leadership in corporate governance.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women’s Leadership Council: Contributes to local leadership initiatives focused on women in business.
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers: Member of MABL, supporting and engaging with Black legal professionals in Minnesota.
National Bar Association: Member of the NBA, participating in the national network of Black attorneys and judges.

Community Involvement

The BrandLab Board of Directors, Governance Committee: Serves on the board of directors for The BrandLab, contributing to governance and strategic direction.
Science Museum of Minnesota Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of Governance and Nominations: Holds a leadership role at the Science Museum, demonstrating her commitment to community institutions and governance.
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Executive and Planning Committee; Board Development Committee: Active in the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, influencing business policy and development in the state.
Mitchell Hamline Gateway to Legal Education Program, Advisory Committee Member: Advises the Mitchell Hamline program, supporting legal education and access.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Organization: Volunteered with CVLS, providing pro bono legal services in Chicago.
Step-Up Women’s Network, Past Luminary Circle Member: Previously involved with Step-Up, supporting mentorship and empowerment for young women.
Loyola ChildLaw Center, Public Interest Initiative Fellow, 2005: Demonstrated early commitment to public interest law through her fellowship.
Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization, Clinic Director for Advocacy for Children and Youth Clinic: Held a leadership position in a legal clinic, advocating for vulnerable populations.
Yale Journal of International Law, Editor: Served as an editor for the Yale Journal of International Law, showcasing her scholarly engagement and legal acumen.

News and Insights

Mercedes Jackson is a thought leader and active participant in legal and business discussions, as evidenced by her speaking engagements and publications.

Publications & Presentations

Speaker, “Cultivating Courage: Women Thriving in Male-Dominated Fields,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal‘s For Women, By Women Conference, December 2023: Shared her insights on women’s leadership and success in male-dominated industries.
Featured, “Black Leaders: Mercedes McFarland Jackson, Fredrikson & Byron,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, January 30, 2023: Profiled as a Black leader in the legal field, highlighting her contributions and impact.
Featured Panelist, “Women’s Leadership Council: How to Engage a Hybrid Workforce,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, November 5, 2021: Participated in discussions on contemporary workplace dynamics and leadership.
Moderator, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Conference: Changemakers from Challenges, Making Minnesota the Epicenter of Change, July 15, 2021: Led discussions at a major business conference, focusing on women’s roles in driving change and innovation in Minnesota.

Mercedes Jackson’s comprehensive expertise, extensive experience, and commitment to excellence make her a leading attorney in debt finance and corporate governance. Her dedication to her clients and the legal community positions her as a valuable asset in complex financial and corporate matters.