PHILADELPHIA — Arlin Adams, a longtime stalwart of the federal bench in Philadelphia who was considered at least twice for the U.S. Supreme Court, has died. He was 94.

A spokesman at Adams’ former law firm said he died Monday night.

Adams spent 18 years on the bench of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, retiring in 1987.

He said in a 1990 interview that a high point in his career came when President Gerald Ford considered him for the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975.

“I don’t think I was entitled to it,” Adams said. “There were many other lawyers and judges more qualified, I thought, and just being considered was honor enough.”