The museum focuses on topics of civil justice and "aspects of the legal system that handle wrongful actions that result in injury".

[7] Nader later removed plans to include the Pinto and instead settled for documentation of the Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Company lawsuit.

[6] Apart from the Corvair and the Ford lawsuit, exhibits about dangerous toys, toxic tobacco, and McDonald's scalding coffee cups were on display when the museum opened as well.

[6] The museum's concept faced criticism from a number of sources, including questions on whether it would attract an audience outside of legal scholars[7] and whether it would be anything more than Nader's tribute to himself.

[12] By 2006, Nader had raised more than half the funds necessary, despite some funders leaving the project,[10] and the plans to use a former factory on Winsted's Main Street had been approved by the town.