Vanessa Hudgens in Los Angeles, CA. on November 26, 2007.
BL-VWR/X17online.com

Age isn't just a number for precocious High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens — and, according to a Los Angeles judge today, it's not an excuse to avoid legal woes.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Tricia Ann Bigelow green-lighted a breach-of-contract suit by Hudgens' former attorney, Brian Schall, who contends that the almost 19-year-old actress owes him more than $150,000 in back commissions, according to E!.

Schall claims he helped her earn more than $5 million from her songwriting and recording career.

But Hudgens has called Schall's work "below professional standard."

She and her attorney had argued that she was just 16 when the contract with Schall was signed and cited California's Family Code, which says "the contract of a minor is voidable before [age 18] or within a reasonable time afterward."

But judge Bigelow said she waited too long — until she was 18 years and nine months old — before attempting to void the contract, allowing the case to proceed to either a motion for summary judgment or a jury decision, E! reports.

A hearing is set for January 15.

Hudgens should have no problem footing the bill: Usmagazine.com reported exclusively she scored a "substantial" raise to star in High School Musical 3. The movie will include a prom, she recently told Us.

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