Derailing a would-be class action against a company that makes roofing shingles, lawyers from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom on Wednesday convinced a federal judge in Sacramento that the plaintiffs must arbitrate their claims individually.

In 2006, homeowners Robert and Linda Hoekman bought shingles made by Tamko Building Products Inc., persuaded by ads that promised the roofing materials would be defect-free for 50 years.