Vermont Supreme Court Filed: December 24, 2024

VERMONT SUPREME COURT Case No. 24-AP-398 109 State Street Montpelier VT 05609-0801 802-828-4774 www.vermontjudiciary.org

ENTRY ORDER

DECEMBER TERM, 2024

In re Shawn T. Tao (Office of Disciplinary } Original Jurisdiction Counsel*) } } Professional Responsibility Board } CASE NO. PRB-045-2023

In the above-entitled cause, the Clerk will enter:

Respondent is currently on interim suspension status. In October 2022, Special Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition to transfer respondent to disability inactive status. The petition was remanded to a hearing panel of the Professional Responsibility Board to consider the request. In December 2024, the panel issued its report and recommended that respondent be transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Administrative Order 9, Rule 25(C). Upon consideration of the materials submitted, we agree with the panel and conclude that respondent is incapacitated from continuing to practice law. Pursuant to Rule 25(C), respondent is transferred to disability inactive status for an indefinite period and until further order of the Court, and any pending disciplinary proceedings against respondent will be held in abeyance.

BY THE COURT:

______________________________________ Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice

______________________________________ Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Associate Justice

______________________________________ Karen R. Carroll, Associate Justice

______________________________________ William D. Cohen, Associate Justice

______________________________________ Nancy J. Waples, Associate Justice