Powerful Wall Street law firm Paul Weiss faced heavy criticism on Friday over a deal it struck with the White House to escape an executive order imperiling the firm's business, even as some lawyers said the firm faced few other options.

The firm agreed to provide pro bono work for causes chosen by Trump and to change its workplace diversity practices, the White House said.

The capitulation by one of the top U.S. firms reflects deep worries that being threatened by the president could lead to financial ruin.