Born in Marianna, Arkansas, Collier received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law in 1974.

While in the Air Force, he was an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the Judge Advocate General's Corps with the rank of Captain.

He was an Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Louisiana from 1979 to 1987 and held the same office in the Eastern District of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995.

He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 13, 1995, to a new seat created by 104 Stat.

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