Dear Legal Writer, Don’t write “Despite the fact that.” It is the most debilitating clause in legal writing.

Yet I see people use it regularly.

I now want you to put it in the trash. 🗑️

Instead, try “Even though.”

It is shorter and so much smoother.

Examples—

🚫 “The court granted the defendant summary judgment despite the fact that the plaintiff submitted additional evidence.”

✅ “The court granted the defendant summary judgment even though the plaintiff submitted additional evidence.”

**

🚫 “Despite the fact that Defendant was intoxicated, he operated his bicycle carefully.”

✅ “Even though Defendant was intoxicated, he operated his bicycle carefully.”

***

Fondly,

💌 Amanda

#DearLegalWriter

P.S. Remember: “Even though” will make things flow. 🙂