Stephen Susman, the founder of trial firm Susman Godfrey who died Tuesday in Houston of complications from a bicycle accident in April, was not only a skilled trial lawyer but a legal innovator who was among the first to use contingency fees on commercial litigation.

While he racked up a long list of big courthouse victories over the years, Susman’s son, Harry, said his father was probably most proud of the success of Susman Godfrey and the fact that it would carry on without him.