Dean completed a law degree before going on to complete the (what was at the time) Bar Vocational Course and was then Called to the Bar. He then worked in a firm of solicitors before cross-qualifying as a Solicitor, practising in that capacity for several years. Dean was later an advocate for a legal regulatory body dealing with professional misconduct matters before a tribunal panel, before joining the Open University where he is faculty lead on academic conduct investigations, as well as, separately, an Associate Lecturer on W111.