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.

✖️ “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.” 🙂