As a scholar he has emphasized philosophical and historical issues in intellectual property, focusing on copyright, trademarks, and geographical indications.

After obtaining his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University in 1986, Hughes spent time as a Luce Scholar, clerking for the Lord President of the Supreme Court of Malaysia [1988-89] then worked on policy at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) [1997-2001].

In that position, he began heading US delegations to meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

At a December 2009 meeting of the WIPO, he announced a significant shift in US policy in international copyright law[1][2] that resulted in Brazil, Mexico, the US and European Union leading efforts to establish exceptions in international copyright law for the blind.

[3][4] Along with delegates from India and Mexico, he also successfully resuscitated efforts to finish the long dormant WIPO Audiovisual Performers Treaty.