Don’t Write “Despite the Fact That.”
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.” 🙂