It is very important to remember that the Watchtower organization does not strictly follow the Bible; but merely it's interpretation of the Bible. The first century Jewish leaders repeatedly congratulated themselves on the fact that they strictly followed the "law". They pointed to their elaborate Talmud with it's codes and rules as outward proof. Yet, they clearly missed the forrest for the trees.
The Watchtower does the same thing today with it's labrynthine rules, policies, and procedures which place the organization in a co-Mediatorship with Jesus. For all intents and purposes, the Governing Body has become a de facto Priesthood. All of this seems impressive to the average JW, but this modern arrangement clearly reverts back to the Old Covenant which has been done away with.
An entire book could also be written about the Watchtower's very unique and immaginative interpretations of Daniel and Revelation; and how these interpretations play into their claim of being selected by Christ to be a channel of communication to mankind.
The next time a JW talks about the proud and haughty first century religious leaders, tell them that maybe they were just imperfect men who were strictly adhering to God's word. Tell them that those who felt burdened by the religious leaders were probably just displaying an "independent spirit" and a "fault-finding attitude". Sit back and enjoy their facial contortions as well as the rhetorical tap-dance they perform.