Judge Michael G. Williamson, whose over two decades of service included one of the busiest federal bankruptcy districts in the country and who was devoted to improving the practice of law, died from stage 4 esophageal cancer on Thursday. He was 71.

Williamson’s impact on attorneys, judges and the bankruptcy rule of law was enormous, according to his colleague, U.S. Bankruptcy Chief Judge Caryl Delano, who sits in the Middle District of Florida.