My guess is that the negative comments come from two types (though I could be way oversimplifying things) of people: those who just don't get it, and think she was pushed/a grind/whatever; and those who are so insecure, the idea that a mere slip of a girl could achieve that at the tender age of 18 is a threat to their overblown self-image.
Personally, I would hate to be a lawyer, but I have a friend who loves it, and more power to them!