Mercedes Jackson: Expert in Debt Finance and Corporate Governance

With a focus on sophisticated financial dealings, Mercedes Jackson represents a diverse clientele, including corporate borrowers, private equity firms, and major financial institutions. Her extensive experience encompasses a wide range of secured and unsecured commercial lending transactions. This includes intricate acquisition financings, senior, second-lien, and mezzanine financing structures, as well as secured bond offerings, debt restructurings, and debtor-in-possession financings. Mercedes’s proficiency in these areas makes her an invaluable asset in complex financial negotiations and transactions.

Mercedes is a vital shareholder within Fredrikson’s Private Equity and Banking & Finance departments, demonstrating her leadership and expertise within the firm. Prior to her current role, Mercedes honed her skills as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago, a prestigious AmLaw 50 firm. This background in a major national practice further solidifies her reputation and brings a wealth of big-law experience to her current practice.

Core Service Areas

Mercedes Jackson delivers comprehensive legal services across the spectrum of debt finance and corporate governance. Her key areas of expertise include:

Debt Financing: Advising on all aspects of debt financing transactions, from initial structuring to closing.
Commercial Lending: Representing both lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured lending arrangements.
Private Equity Transactions: Providing expert counsel to private equity groups in financing acquisitions and portfolio company management.
Corporate Governance and Compliance: Guiding clients through the intricacies of corporate governance documents and compliance requirements.
Debt Restructuring: Assisting clients in navigating complex debt restructuring scenarios and workouts.
Acquisition Financing: Specializing in the financing of mergers and acquisitions, ensuring smooth and efficient transactions.

Extensive Experience in High-Value Transactions

Mercedes Jackson’s impressive track record includes representation in numerous high-stakes financial transactions, demonstrating her capability and experience in handling significant deals. Her experience includes:

Litigation Finance Fund Transactions: Successfully represented a litigation finance fund in securing a $75 million commercial paper facility and a $25 million receivables facility, showcasing her ability to handle innovative financing structures.
National Packaging Company Financing: Advised a national packaging company on a $100 million senior secured credit facility and a substantial $250 million shelf facility, highlighting her experience with large-scale corporate financing.
National Liquor Distributor Revolving Credit: Represented a national liquor distributor in establishing a $250 million revolving credit facility, demonstrating her expertise in managing significant working capital facilities.
Mezzanine Lender Acquisition Financing: Acted for a mezzanine lender in a $25 million acquisition financing, including intricate intercreditor negotiations for a US-based manufacturer, reflecting her skill in complex deal structures and negotiations.
Cross-Border Transactions: Represented Canadian banks and US subsidiaries of European borrowers in guarantee and security documentation for US assets, showcasing her experience in international financial transactions.
Strategic Partner Loans for Tech Company: Advised an international technology company on secured and unsecured loans to strategic partners, illustrating her adaptability across different industries.
Private Equity Acquisition Financings: Consistently represented private equity groups and their targets in acquisition financings, including senior and mezzanine secured credit facilities, note purchase agreements, and intercreditor negotiations, highlighting her core strength in private equity dealmaking.
Department Store Retailer Acquisition: Played a key role in the $1.7 billion senior secured asset-based and term loan facilities for the acquisition of a major national department store retailer, demonstrating her capacity to handle very large and complex transactions.
Debt Restructuring and Amendment: Represented a national department store retailer in amending and restating its existing senior secured revolving credit facility, showcasing expertise in ongoing financial management and restructuring.
Paper Manufacturing Company Acquisition: Guided a private equity group in securing $975 million senior secured first-lien credit facilities and a $260.7 million secured second-lien term loan facility for the acquisition of a paper manufacturing company, further illustrating her experience with substantial acquisition financing.
Craft Industry Acquisition: Represented a private equity group in a complex financing package including $650 million senior secured first-lien credit facilities, $225 million secured second-lien credit facilities, and $75 million unsecured facilities for the acquisition of a leading consolidated craft industry group.
Automotive Supply Company DIP Financing and Reorganization: Provided critical counsel to a tier-1 automotive supply company in $115 million senior secured revolving debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit facilities and $170 million senior secured term loan DIP facilities, and in its successful plan of reorganization and exit financing, including a $110 million senior secured revolving credit facility and $83.75 million second-lien secured term loan credit facility. This highlights her expertise in distressed situations and corporate restructuring.
Fortune 500 Power Company DIP Financing: Represented a Fortune 500 power company and its hundreds of domestic subsidiaries in an enormous $2 billion revolving and term loan debtor-in-possession credit facilities, demonstrating her ability to handle extremely large and complex Chapter 11 financing.
Radio Company Financing: Advised a radio company on a $386 million senior secured term loan facility and a $25 million senior secured super-priority revolving credit facility, showcasing her versatility across different industries and financing needs.
Television Programming Notes Issuance: Represented a joint owner in a television programming entity in the issuance of $119 million senior secured notes, demonstrating her experience in alternative financing methods.
Corporate Relocation Company Financing: Acted for an international corporate relocation company in securing a $150 million senior secured term loan facility and a $50 million senior secured revolving credit facility, further demonstrating her broad experience in corporate finance.

Credentials and Recognition

Mercedes Jackson’s credentials underscore her expertise and commitment to excellence in her field.

Education

Yale Law School, J.D., 2005: A Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, is a testament to her exceptional legal education.
The Ohio State University, B.A., 2002, magna cum laude: Graduating magna cum laude from The Ohio State University demonstrates her strong academic foundation and commitment to excellence from the beginning of her academic career.

Admissions

Minnesota, 2014: Admitted to practice law in Minnesota, signifying her professional standing in the state where she currently practices.
Illinois, 2005: Admitted to practice in Illinois, reflecting her early career experience in a major legal market.

Recognition

Best Lawyers in America, Banking and Finance Law, 2025: Recognition in Best Lawyers in America is a significant peer-reviewed honor, highlighting her standing as a leading attorney in Banking and Finance Law.
40 Under 40 Honoree, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2020: Being named a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recognizes her as a rising leader in the Twin Cities business community.
Phi Beta Kappa: Induction into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, further emphasizes her outstanding academic achievements.

Civic and Professional Engagements

Mercedes Jackson is deeply involved in both professional and community activities, showcasing her leadership and commitment beyond her legal practice.

Professional Activities

American Bar Association: Active participation in the American Bar Association demonstrates her engagement with the broader legal profession.
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow, 2017: Being an LCLD Fellow reflects her commitment to diversity and inclusion within the legal field.
Women Corporate Directors Pipeline Initiative, Cohort III: Participation in this initiative highlights her dedication to advancing women in corporate leadership roles.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women’s Leadership Council: Her involvement in this council underscores her leadership in the local business community and her commitment to women’s leadership.
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers: Membership in the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers demonstrates her engagement with and support for minority legal professionals.
National Bar Association: Participation in the National Bar Association further shows her commitment to the national legal community and particularly to minority lawyers.

Community Involvement

The BrandLab Board of Directors, Governance Committee: Serving on the board and governance committee of The BrandLab highlights her commitment to supporting youth and diversity in the marketing and advertising industry.
Science Museum of Minnesota Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of Governance and Nominations: Her role as Vice Chair at the Science Museum of Minnesota demonstrates her dedication to community institutions and science education.
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Executive and Planning Committee; Board Development Committee: Her leadership roles within the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce underscore her commitment to the state’s business environment and economic development.
Mitchell Hamline Gateway to Legal Education Program, Advisory Committee Member: Advising this program demonstrates her dedication to legal education and fostering opportunities for aspiring lawyers.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Organization: Her past involvement with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services highlights her long-standing commitment to pro bono legal services.
Step-Up Women’s Network, Past Luminary Circle Member: Past involvement with Step-Up Women’s Network shows her continued support for women’s advancement.
Loyola ChildLaw Center, Public Interest Initiative Fellow, 2005: Being a Public Interest Initiative Fellow at Loyola ChildLaw Center early in her career demonstrates her commitment to public interest law.
Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization, Clinic Director for Advocacy for Children and Youth Clinic: Her role as Clinic Director at Yale’s legal services organization further underscores her early dedication to advocacy and public service.
Yale Journal of International Law, Editor: Serving as an Editor of the Yale Journal of International Law highlights her scholarly abilities and interest in international legal issues.

News and Insights

Mercedes Jackson is an active voice in legal and business discussions, as evidenced by her speaking engagements and publications.

Featured Speaker and Panelist

Mercedes Jackson is sought after for her insights and expertise, frequently participating in speaking engagements, including:

Speaker, “Cultivating Courage: Women Thriving in Male-Dominated Fields,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal‘s For Women, By Women Conference, December 2023: Sharing her insights on women’s success in male-dominated fields at a prominent business journal conference.
Featured Panelist, “Women’s Leadership Council: How to Engage a Hybrid Workforce,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, November 5, 2021: Contributing to discussions on contemporary workplace issues, specifically engaging a hybrid workforce.
Moderator, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Conference: Changemakers from Challenges, Making Minnesota the Epicenter of Change, July 15, 2021: Leading discussions at a major state-level business conference focused on women in business and driving change.

Publications and Media Features

Her expertise is also recognized through media features and publications:

Featured, “Black Leaders: Mercedes McFarland Jackson, Fredrikson & Byron,” Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, January 30, 2023: Recognized as a Black leader in the business community by a leading regional business publication.

Mercedes Jackson’s comprehensive expertise in debt finance and corporate governance, combined with her extensive experience and commitment to both her profession and community, makes her a top-tier legal professional and a valuable asset to her clients.