That's actually common. Employees get paid 1st, basic labor law in the US.

Not to mention, the money might have already been there so to speak. The payroll company (most places do not do it in house) might have gotten the estimated funds to pay everyone though a certain date. At that point it's not Blockfi's money anymore and it's not the payroll companies money, it belongs to the employees.

As for getting legal advice, it seems pretty pointless at this point. The bankruptcy judge is fully in control at this point. Lawyers are going to argue for this or that, but the people with massive claims are going to have some pretty good legal representation. Don't know what a few hundred small people are going to be able to do vs massive money from other places.

-Dave