Blake Anderson Hanley is a name that evokes curiosity for those who have glimpsed the intersection of art and advocacy. While some may know him primarily as the ex-husband of actress Emily Wickersham, the fuller portrait of his life reveals a man who has reinvented himself multiple times—first as a singer and band leader in Ghost Lion, and later as a legal professional championing domestic and family law cases. In this article, we will trace Blake Anderson Hanley’s journey from his early life and musical ambitions to his shift into the legal realm, his personal highs and lows, and the legacy he continues to build. Through this exploration, you’ll gain insight into a life defined as much by reinvention as by passion.
Early Life, Background & Foundations
Blake Anderson Hanley was born on March 2, 1984, in Palm Beach, Florida, where he spent the formative years of his youth. Flores Cafe+2Cooper Magazine+2 His family background includes a touch of athletic and international influence: his father, Daniel Hanley, is noted to have played for the Essendon Football Club in Australia’s Victorian Football League, which suggests a link to Australian heritage in Blake’s lineage. Flores Cafe+1 While details about his mother are less publicly documented, it is clear that his upbringing fostered a blend of creative interests and intellectual curiosity.
On the academic front, Blake’s education spanned multiple institutions. He is reported to have studied Communication and Media at Palm Beach Atlantic University and also attended Palm Beach State College, reflecting an early interest in media, arts, or communications. Flores Cafe+1 Later, to pursue his legal ambitions, he attended Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, where he reportedly was involved with the Music Law Society, combining his interests in both music and legal systems. Flores Cafe+2Cooper Magazine+2 Those academic steps laid a foundation for the dual career path that would later define him.
The Music Chapter: Ghost Lion Frontman
Blake’s venture into the music world culminated with Ghost Lion, a band in which he served as lead vocalist. Four Magazine+3news.amomama.com+3Cooper Magazine+3 The music of Ghost Lion carried a distinctive sensibility—emotional, introspective, and genre-blurring. Their songs explored themes of longing, identity, heartbreak, and resilience. One of the better-known singles from Ghost Lion is “Wrong Guy.” celebritymagazine.co.uk+3news.amomama.com+3Cooper Magazine+3 Through live performances and recordings, Blake built a modest but dedicated fanbase within the indie and alternative music circles.
However, the musical path was never his sole focus. Blake reportedly did not treat music as his only career but rather one of his passions. Nicki Swift+2news.amomama.com+2 Even during or after his time with Ghost Lion, he navigated shifts in location and life that moved him gradually toward professional reinvention.
The Legal Pivot: From Stage to Courtroom
Perhaps the most compelling chapter of Blake Anderson Hanley’s life is his transition into law. After building experience in the music world, Blake formalized his legal education and embarked on a career in family and domestic law. As of now, he is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar (Bar Number 1008828) and has practiced with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. The Florida Bar He specializes in cases involving domestic violence, divorces, and family law, bringing both personal empathy and intellectual rigor to a challenging field. news.amomama.com+2Experience+2
His legal path did not emerge overnight. Blake is reported to have served as a law clerk at Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles, gaining experience in public-interest cases and civic work. Flores Cafe+1 Over time, he accumulated enough credibility and dedication to take on more independent practice roles focused on helping vulnerable populations, particularly in family-dispute contexts. Flores Cafe+2Cooper Magazine+2 In combining his past life as a performer with legal advocacy, Blake leverages his communication skills, public presence, and capacity for empathy, creating a unique professional niche.
Personal Life, Relationships & Reinvention
A significant chapter in Blake’s personal life was his marriage to Emily Wickersham, the actress known for her role as Eleanor Bishop on NCIS. Blake and Emily married on November 23, 2010, in the Florida Keys, in an intimate ceremony officiated by Blake’s brother. news.amomama.com+2Cooper Magazine+2 Their marriage lasted eight years before they divorced in 2018, though the specific reasons for their divorce have largely remained private. Nicki Swift+2news.amomama.com+2 During this time, Blake balanced music, legal ambitions, and personal life under public scrutiny.
After the divorce, Blake relocated back to Florida after years of residing in Los Angeles, re-centering his life both physically and emotionally. news.amomama.com+1 He subsequently found a new partner, Mumbi O’Brien, who is described as a visual artist and costume designer. news.amomama.com+2Cooper Magazine+2 Together, Blake and Mumbi welcomed a daughter, Muoni, in May 2020. news.amomama.com+1 This new phase of fatherhood and partnership has added renewed purpose to Blake’s evolving identity.
Given his multiple career shifts, Blake’s personal story is one of continuous reinvention—of letting go of past identities and embracing new ones. His willingness to move from spotlight to service, from art to law, and from public marriage to private family life underscores a capacity to adapt and grow.
Achievements, Recognition & Net Worth
Blake Anderson Hanley’s achievements span both creative and legal domains. In the music sphere, Ghost Lion allowed him to express artistry, reach audiences, and cultivate a personal brand beyond traditional legal careers. While Ghost Lion may not have become a household name, among indie listeners and followers it gained respect. His dual identity adds intrigue: few public figures equally straddle music and law.
In his legal role, Blake has earned credibility through service—working with the Legal Aid Society, handling domestic violence and family law matters, and advocating for individuals in challenging situations. While his law practice may not draw headlines, it represents meaningful, sustained work. news.amomama.com+2Cooper Magazine+2
Regarding net worth, estimates place Blake’s net worth between $500,000 and $1 million. Cooper Magazine+1 This valuation accounts for his musical output, possible royalties, and his income as an attorney. While this figure pales in comparison to some celebrity spouses, it underscores the reality that Blake has built a stable financial foundation across distinct careers.
Challenges, Transitions & Public Profile
Navigating a high-profile marriage, public scrutiny, and shifting careers was never easy. The transition from being known largely in the entertainment domain to being a legal practitioner required not only new credentials but a recalibration of public perception. Because Blake has largely kept a low social media footprint, many details about his inner life and motivations remain speculative, which both protects his privacy and invites curiosity. news.amomama.com+2Cooper Magazine+2
Another challenge has been balancing emotional vulnerability with professionalism. The heartbreaks, personal changes, and family dynamics are not only life experiences but also influences on his art, his legal empathy, and his interpersonal engagements. Yet Blake seems to navigate this balance with relative quiet dignity—focusing less on spectacle and more on substance.
Finally, reconciling fame with purpose is no small feat. Many artists struggle when shifting to more standard or service-oriented careers; for Blake, the legal field demanded new disciplines, ethics, and stamina. His journey shows that redefining one’s identity publicly can be as arduous as it is courageous.
What Lies Ahead: Goals & Legacy
As of 2025, Blake Anderson Hanley continues to operate in the intersection of law, art, and family life. He carries forward his legal practice, likely expanding his impact on family law matters, while occasionally reconnecting with his musical roots—whether through songwriting, collaborations, or performances. His central goal appears to be building a meaningful life that aligns with both personal integrity and social service.
Legacy for Blake may not be measured in chart-topping hits or high-profile court cases — though those may come — but in the quiet lives he touches through advocacy, the art he leaves behind, and the example he sets for adaptability. He embodies a model for those who refuse to be boxed into one identity and show that reinvention, at any stage, is possible.
Conclusion
The story of Blake Anderson Hanley defies simple classification. He is more than just “Emily Wickersham’s ex,” more than “that musician,” more than “the attorney.” He is the person who has dared to bridge passions, roles, and life chapters—signing on as a creative, a legal advocate, a husband, a father, and an evolving self. His journey from Ghost Lion frontman to courtroom advocate is not about leaving one life behind, but about layering new purposes over earlier ones. In doing so, he gives us a powerful example: that identity is never static, and growth often comes through courageous transitions.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Who is Blake Anderson Hanley?
Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician and attorney. He is best known for being the lead vocalist of the indie rock band Ghost Lion and later transitioning into a legal career focusing on family law, divorce, and domestic violence cases. The Florida Bar+3news.amomama.com+3Cooper Magazine+3
2. What is Ghost Lion and what role did Blake have?
Ghost Lion is the band in which Blake served as frontman (lead vocalist). Their music centers on emotional, introspective themes. One of Ghost Lion’s notable songs is “Wrong Guy.” celebritymagazine.co.uk+3news.amomama.com+3Cooper Magazine+3
3. How did Blake transition into a legal career?
Blake pursued legal education (including at Southwestern Law School) during or after his music career, then worked as a law clerk (for instance at Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles). Eventually, he became a practicing attorney in Florida, specializing in family law and domestic violence. The Florida Bar+4Flores Cafe+4Cooper Magazine+4
4. When was Blake Anderson Hanley married and divorced to Emily Wickersham?
Blake married Emily Wickersham on November 23, 2010, in the Florida Keys. They divorced in 2018 after approximately eight years of marriage. The reasons for their divorce remain largely private. news.amomama.com+2Nicki Swift+2
5. Does Blake have children or a new partner?
Yes. After his divorce, Blake entered a relationship with Mumbi O’Brien, who is a visual artist and costume designer. Together, they have a daughter named Muoni, born in May 2020. news.amomama.com+1
6. What is Blake Anderson Hanley’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth between $500,000 and $1 million. This figure stems from his combined income from music (albums, performances, royalties) and his legal practice. Cooper Magazine+1
7. What makes Blake’s story interesting or unique?
His narrative is compelling because it breaks the mold: few people move from being a performing artist to a legal professional in a serious practice domain. He bridges two seemingly opposite fields and underscores that reinvention in mid life is not only possible, but also deeply meaningful.
