The family returned to the United States when Richmond was three and he was raised in Yorktown, Virginia[4][5] (with the exception of a four-year tour in Goldsboro, N.C.).

Richmond graduated from Tabb High School[6] where he served as student body president and played varsity tennis.

Cotton led an investigation into a complaint about the trafficking of Indian workers to the United States by Signal International around 2006.

In the course of the investigation, the workers were freed and given permission to remain in the United States, apply for permanent residency for themselves and immediate family.

However, the investigation closed without criminal prosecution of either the company Signal International, its key executives, or the facilitators of the trafficking.

Richmond assisted businesses as they navigated the UK and Australia Modern Slavery Acts and the growing number of Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence law in Europe.

As disclosure and diligence requirements grow in the area of environment, social, and governance (ESG), Richmond assisted clients seeking to use the power of commerce to create positive change and improve value for shareholders and stakeholders.