Mercedes received her J.D. from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University in 2014 and received her Master in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 2017. She also received her L.L.M. in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2024. Mercedes was an Assistant Article Editor on Law Review at Florida A&M University College of Law and graduated in the top 11% of her class. She was a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Vincent L. Johnson in Philadelphia and was a Trial Unit Intern for the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining UCF, Mercedes litigated and defended personal injury, automobile negligence and premise liability insurance claims. She is admitted to practice in the State of Florida.