- American musician and family law attorney with a dual-career path
- Lead singer of indie band Ghost Lion
- Former husband of actress Emily Wickersham, best known for her role on NCIS
- Active in legal aid and family law in Florida
- Known for balancing creative work with professional legal practice
- Estimated net worth between $500,000 and $1.5 million
Introduction
Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician and attorney known for building an unusual career that spans both creative and legal fields. While many recognize him through his past marriage to actress Emily Wickersham, his own professional journey stands out for its balance of artistry and public service.
As the lead singer of Ghost Lion and a practicing family lawyer in Florida, Hanley represents a rare combination of creative expression and real-world impact. His story matters because it challenges the idea that success must follow a single path — and he has lived proof of that in two distinct industries.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Blake Anderson Hanley |
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1984 |
| Age | 42 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Palm Beach, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Musician, Family Law Attorney |
| Years Active | 2010–present (music), 2015–present (law) |
| Current Wife | Mumbi O’Brien (married 2019) |
| Children | One daughter, Muoni (born May 2020) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $1.5 million (estimated) |
Early Life & Background
Childhood in Palm Beach
Blake Anderson Hanley was born and raised in Palm Beach, Florida. Growing up along Florida’s coast — a region with a relaxed cultural rhythm and a strong arts scene — likely played a meaningful role in shaping his creative instincts from an early age.
Family and Upbringing
Hanley comes from a family with both American and Australian roots. His father, Daniel Hanley, played Australian rules football for the Essendon Football Club in the Victorian Football League, giving the family a distinctive sporting legacy. His mother, Denise, worked as a school teacher and actively encouraged Blake’s interest in arts and literature. His brother, Drew Hanley, was a close presence throughout his life — a bond strong enough that Drew later officiated Blake’s wedding in 2010.
This blend of athletic discipline and intellectual nurturing shaped someone who would eventually thrive in two demanding fields at once.
Early Creative Interests
From a young age, Hanley gravitated toward music and storytelling. This early passion would eventually develop into a professional music career, while also cultivating the communication instincts that would later serve him well in the courtroom.
Education
Academic Background
Hanley attended Palm Beach State College before earning a degree in Communication and Media Studies from Palm Beach Atlantic University. That foundation gave him a clear understanding of how narratives and messaging shape perception — useful both on stage and in a legal setting.
Law School and Legal Training
He later pursued a law degree at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. During that time, he served as Vice President of the Music Law Society — a deliberate move that reflects how seriously he worked to bridge his creative background with formal legal expertise. After graduating, he began his legal career as a law clerk at the Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles, where he assisted underserved families and individuals before eventually returning to Florida to build his practice.
This dual focus is significant — it explains how he was able to transition between two very different industries without losing credibility in either.
Career Journey
Early Music Career
Blake Anderson Hanley began his music career with a project called Kin Cayo. This early phase gave him room to experiment with sound and develop his artistic voice before stepping into a larger spotlight.
Ghost Lion and Artistic Identity
He later became the lead singer of Ghost Lion, an indie rock band known for its distinctive blend of calypso, cumbia, and electronic elements layered beneath socially conscious lyrics. Songs like “Broken Glass,” “Wolves,” and “Wrong Guy” explored themes of self-reflection and emotional resilience — work that earned the band a devoted niche audience.
While Ghost Lion never chased mainstream recognition, that was partly the point. Hanley has consistently prioritized authenticity over commercial formula, and the band’s music reflects that clearly.
Transition Into Law
Rather than pursuing music exclusively, Hanley made a deliberate pivot toward law. It was a significant shift — one that required him to essentially start over in a demanding new field — but it reflected long-term thinking: seeking stability and social impact without abandoning his creative side entirely.
Legal Career in Family Law
As an attorney, Hanley focuses on family and divorce law, including domestic violence cases — an area that demands as much emotional intelligence as legal skill. He has practiced at the Bruce Law Firm in Florida and has been associated with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, where he supports projects helping families navigate inheritance and property disputes.
That commitment to legal aid is worth noting — it signals a career driven by purpose, not just professional ambition.
Major Works & Achievements
Music Highlights
- Lead vocalist and guitarist of Ghost Lion
- Released EP “Dim Echo”
- Notable singles include “Wrong Guy,” “Broken Glass,” and “Wolves”
- Early music work with Kin Cayo
Legal Achievements
- Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School
- Member of the Florida Bar
- Practicing family law attorney at the Bruce Law Firm
- Involvement with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
- Prior work at the Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles
Taken together, these achievements show that Hanley has built real credibility in two very different fields — something that rarely happens without genuine dedication to both.
Net Worth
Blake Anderson Hanley’s estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1.5 million. His income comes from multiple sources:
- Music royalties and live performances
- Legal practice and client work
Unlike many public figures, his financial profile isn’t driven by fame or a single breakout moment. It reflects steady, diversified income built across two careers over more than a decade — a more durable foundation than most.
Personal Life
Marriage to Emily Wickersham
Hanley married actress Emily Wickersham on November 23, 2010, in a private ceremony held at Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys — an intimate and scenic setting that suited the couple’s preference for keeping things out of the spotlight. His brother Drew officiated the wedding. Even as Emily’s career grew through her role as Special Agent Eleanor Bishop on NCIS, the couple maintained a largely private life together.
Divorce in 2018
The couple separated in December 2018 after nearly eight years of marriage. Neither spoke publicly about the reasons for the split, and the process was handled without public conflict — which, in the world of celebrity divorces, is genuinely uncommon.
Life After Divorce — Mumbi O’Brien and Family
In 2019, Hanley married Mumbi O’Brien, a visual artist and costume designer. The following year, on May 3, 2020, the couple welcomed a daughter named Muoni — a name that carries a meaning of peace. By all accounts, Hanley has settled into a grounded and fulfilling family life in Palm Beach, far from the public attention that once surrounded him.
Latest Updates / Current Status
As of 2026, Blake Anderson Hanley is based in Florida, where he continues to work as a family law attorney. He remains connected to music but appears to prioritize his legal career and personal life. He maintains a low-key social media presence under the handle @blakehansolo, where he occasionally shares glimpses of family life, music, and legal work.
This shift toward stability reflects a broader life transition — from public-facing creative work to a more grounded, purposeful professional role that aligns with who he has become.
Lesser-Known Facts
- His father, Daniel Hanley, was a professional Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon Football Club
- He served as Vice President of the Music Law Society at Southwestern Law School
- Ghost Lion’s music blends calypso, cumbia, and electronic elements — a sound that reflects Hanley’s multicultural roots
- His brother Drew officiated his 2010 wedding to Emily Wickersham
- His daughter Muoni’s name means peace
- He has maintained a consistently private lifestyle despite sustained public interest
Timeline of Key Life Events
- 1984 – Born in Palm Beach, Florida
- 2010 – Married Emily Wickersham at Little Palm Island, Florida Keys
- 2010s – Active in music with Ghost Lion
- 2015 – Began legal career
- 2018 – Divorced Emily Wickersham (December)
- 2019 – Married Mumbi O’Brien
- 2020 – Daughter Muoni born in May
- 2020s – Continued family law practice in Florida
FAQs
Who is Blake Anderson Hanley?
Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician and family law attorney. He is also known for his past marriage to NCIS actress Emily Wickersham.
What does Blake Anderson Hanley do for a living?
He works as a family and divorce lawyer in Florida and remains involved in music as the lead singer of indie band Ghost Lion.
What band is Blake Anderson Hanley in?
He is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Ghost Lion, known for blending calypso, cumbia, and electronic elements.
Is Blake Anderson Hanley still married to Emily Wickersham?
No. They divorced in December 2018 after nearly eight years of marriage. He has since married Mumbi O’Brien.
Does Blake Anderson Hanley have children?
Yes. He and his wife Mumbi O’Brien have a daughter named Muoni, born in May 2020.
What is Blake Anderson Hanley’s net worth?
His estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1.5 million, earned through music and his legal practice.
Where is Blake Anderson Hanley now?
He currently lives in Palm Beach, Florida, where he works as a family law attorney and raises his daughter with wife Mumbi O’Brien.
Conclusion
Blake Anderson Hanley’s story is defined by balance. He has successfully built two meaningful careers while maintaining a private and grounded personal life — something that becomes harder, not easier, when public interest follows you around.
Beyond any celebrity association, his real significance lies in how deliberately he has shaped his own path. From the stage to the courtroom, from Palm Beach to Los Angeles and back, Hanley’s journey shows that success doesn’t have to look like one thing — and that purpose, not fame, tends to be the more reliable compass.