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 numerous news organizations, media companies, online content providers, and individuals in a wide variety of defamation, copyright, trademark, patent, and other litigation and counseling matters.

According to The Legal 500 US: Volume II (Intellectual Property, Technology, Media & Telecoms) (2007 and 2008), corporate counsel ranked Mr. Hentoff as "one of the leading lawyers in the US" in the area of Media and Entertainment - Defamation and Libel. The Legal 500 US noted that he "comes in for regular praise from the market." Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2007 and 2008 editions) 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 was also included in the 2008 and 2009 editions of Best Lawyers in America in the area of First Amendment Law, in Washingtonian Magazine's 2007 list of top Media Lawyers, and in the 2009 edition of Washington DC Super Lawyers in the area of First Amendment/Media Advertising.

Mr. Hentoff also has represented clients in a broad range of complex civil matters at the trial and appellate levels in cases involving the automotive, healthcare, publishing, broadcast, communications, and other industries. Mr. Hentoff joined Williams & Connolly LLP in 1992 and has been a partner since 2000. He is chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee and past chair of the firm's Mentoring Committee.

His litigation and counseling matters have included:

• Serving as lead counsel for major motion picture studios in both successfully resolved and ongoing copyright litigation against providers of peer-to-peer file-sharing services that facilitate the large-scale infringement of motion pictures and other video programming, 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.
• 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 Trustees of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.