Leonard Hoffmann v. WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.

U.S. Supreme Court (cert granted) Not specified decision pending

North Dakota ranchers incurred $383,300 in attorney's fees negotiating compensation after WBI Energy Transmission invoked Natural Gas Act § 7 eminent domain authority to condemn pipeline easements, but the Eighth Circuit held federal law preempts North Dakota's state fee-shifting statute. The Supreme Court granted certiorari on June 29, 2026, to resolve a circuit split over whether NGA § 7 condemnation proceedings permit recovery of landowner legal fees under state condemnation statutes that authorize such awards.