Tom Hentoff's practice is principally concentrated in three areas: First Amendment and media law, intellectual property disputes, and complex civil litigation. Mr. Hentoff has represented clients in a wide variety of defamation, copyright, trademark, trade secret, false-advertising, patent, and other litigation and counseling matters.

The Legal 500 US: Volume II (Intellectual Property, Technology, Media & Telecoms) (2007-09) reported that corporate counsel ranked Mr. Hentoff as "one of the leading lawyers in the US" in the area of Media and Entertainment - Defamation and Libel, noting that he "comes in for regular praise from the market" and has been "singled out" by clients "as 'a really great lawyer.'" Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2007-09) recognized Mr. Hentoff as a leading individual among Washington, DC Media & Entertainment lawyers, highlighting client praise for his "excellent judgment," "undoubtedly excellent" performance, and "thorough, analytical approach to copyright issues." He has also been included in Best Lawyers in America (2008-10) in the area of First Amendment Law, in Washingtonian Magazine's 2007 and 2009 lists of top Media Lawyers, and in Washington DC Super Lawyers (2009-10) in the area of First Amendment/Media Advertising.

Mr. Hentoff has represented clients in a broad range of complex civil matters at the trial and appellate levels. He joined Williams & Connolly LLP in 1992 and has been a partner since 2000. He is chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee.

His litigation and counseling matters have included:

• Serving as lead counsel for major motion picture studios in successfully resolved copyright litigation against providers of peer-to-peer file-sharing services, including the landmark MGM v. Grokster case.
• Defending national news organizations in successfully resolved lawsuits arising from reports about a Vietnam-era U.S. military mission, including a summary judgment victory highlighted in The American Lawyer's feature on Williams & Connolly's selection as Finalist, Litigation Department of the Year for 2007.
• Obtaining summary judgment for healthcare industry defendants in a trade secrets and breach of contract lawsuit that sought more than $400 million in damages.
• Successfully defending consumer product manufacturers in putative nationwide class action alleging false advertising and product defects.
• Obtaining appellate reversal for broadcasting company of plaintiff's trial-court judgment in employee whistleblower lawsuit and winning attorneys' fees award for company.
• Successfully defending, in the trial court and on appeal, national news organization against multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit.
• Successfully representing national automotive retailer in a series of dealer-franchise lawsuits against major automobile manufacturers.
• Successfully defending, in the trial court and on appeal, news organization and media defendants in libel, privacy, and intellectual property lawsuits brought throughout the United States.
• Leading teams providing copy review and other pre-publication advice to national celebrity-news and general-interest magazines.
• Advising online retailers, content providers, and media clients on trademark, trade secrets, privacy, right of publicity, and other matters.

Mr. Hentoff is a member of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Committee and of the Board of Directors of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. He is also a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. His article The Secrets of Superstar Associates is assigned reading in a number of law school legal-practice courses.  In 2009, the ABA Section of Litigation selected the article for inclusion in a CD collection of “Top Podcast Episodes” from Litigation Magazine.