Blake Anderson Hanley’s life reads like two different books bound together. The first is filled with the energy of live shows, indie music, and late-night studio sessions. The second is about law offices, advocacy, and giving people a voice when they need it most.
Known to some as the ex-husband of actress Emily Wickersham, Hanley has built an identity far beyond celebrity connections. His path from the frontman of a rock band to a respected attorney shows how reinvention can be both brave and deeply human.
Early Life and Family Background of Blake Anderson Hanley
Blake Anderson Hanley was born on March 2, 1984, in Palm Beach, Florida. His parents, Daniel and Denise Hanley, raised him in a home that balanced structure and creativity. His father once played for the Essendon Football Club in Australia’s Victorian Football League, giving Blake an early appreciation for discipline and ambition.
His mother, a teacher, sparked his interest in learning and self-expression. Growing up alongside his brother Drew, Blake experienced a childhood that blended music, culture, and sports. That mix shaped his curiosity about people and the world, traits that would later guide both his creative and professional choices.
Education and the Path Toward California
Education was more than a formality for Blake; it was a way to explore possibilities. He started his studies at Palm Beach State College before transferring to Palm Beach Atlantic University. There he earned a degree in Communication and Media Studies, a fitting choice for someone with a natural ability to connect ideas and emotions. His next move took him to Los Angeles, where he attended Southwestern Law School.
The city became a turning point. Surrounded by both entertainment and activism, Blake found a space where his passion for music and interest in justice could coexist. While studying law, he also served as Vice President of the Music Law Society, a role that hinted at his future balance between art and advocacy.
Blake Anderson Hanley’s Journey in Music
Music came naturally to Blake. He had the voice, the charisma, and the vision to lead. As the frontman of the indie rock band Ghost Lion, he helped create a sound that mixed raw emotion with melodic energy. Their songs blended indie rock and pop influences, exploring themes of connection, loss, and self-discovery.
Ghost Lion quickly gained a small but loyal following for their live shows and heartfelt lyrics. For Blake, music was a form of storytelling. Each lyric was an attempt to capture real emotions in rhythm and sound. He poured himself into the work, building experiences that would later shape his empathy as an attorney.
Transition from Music to Law
Leaving music behind was not an easy choice, but it was a necessary one. After years of touring and writing, Blake Anderson Hanley decided to pursue a career that could create tangible change in people’s lives. His decision to study law was driven by purpose rather than prestige.
He started as a Law Clerk at Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles, helping people facing housing and domestic issues. From there, he joined Bruce Law Firm, specializing in family law. Today, Blake works as a family law attorney handling divorce and domestic violence cases. His musical past gave him an emotional understanding of people, something that makes him stand out in a profession that often demands compassion as much as intellect.
Marriage and Relationship with Emily Wickersham
Blake Anderson Hanley’s personal life once drew attention when he married actress Emily Wickersham. The two shared an easy chemistry that grew from friendship into romance. They tied the knot on November 23, 2010, in an intimate ceremony on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys.
The wedding reflected who they were at the time, private yet deeply connected. Their relationship, however, eventually came to an end. After nearly eight years of marriage, they divorced in 2018. Both chose to keep details of their separation private, showing respect for one another even in parting. It was a quiet ending to a chapter that had once been full of love and admiration.
Who Is Emily Wickersham
Emily Wickersham is best known for her role as Special Agent Eleanor Bishop on the hit series NCIS. Born in 1984 in Kansas, she built her career from guest appearances on shows like The Sopranos to becoming a regular face in one of television’s longest-running dramas. Beyond acting, Emily has been praised for her humility and warmth.
After leaving NCIS in 2021, she shifted focus to family life with actor James Badge Dale, with whom she has a son. Her grounded personality mirrors the privacy Blake values. Even after their divorce, both continued to carry themselves with the same grace that defined their marriage.
Blake Anderson Hanley’s Second Marriage and Family Life
Love found its way back into Blake’s life when he met Mumbi O’Brien, a talented visual artist and designer. The two shared a love for creativity and culture that naturally brought them together. They married in a small, art-filled ceremony that reflected their shared passion for expression and balance.
In 2020, they welcomed their daughter, Muoni. Fatherhood added a new dimension to Blake’s life, grounding him further and shaping how he approaches work and family. The name Muoni, symbolizing peace, captures the calm and happiness of this new chapter. For Blake, life now revolves around purpose, connection, and the joy of raising his daughter with intention.
Achievements and Professional Recognition
Blake Anderson Hanley has earned respect across two very different fields. In music, he was celebrated for Ghost Lion’s originality and emotional honesty. In law, he’s admired for his dedication and empathy. His work in family law often involves difficult cases, yet his approach is steady and compassionate.
Colleagues describe him as someone who listens first and speaks with clarity. Beyond his law career, he remains an advocate for creative professionals, helping artists navigate contracts and intellectual property challenges. It’s a full-circle moment for someone who once stood on stage performing songs about freedom and belonging.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Blake Anderson Hanley’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $1 million. His income comes from both his earlier success as a musician and his ongoing legal practice. Despite financial stability, Blake avoids showy displays of wealth.
His life in Los Angeles reflects balance rather than extravagance. Whether spending time with his family, supporting his wife’s artistic endeavors, or taking on meaningful legal cases, he focuses on fulfillment rather than fame. That quiet success, built on integrity and adaptability, is what makes his story stand out.
Challenges and Lessons Along the Way
Life hasn’t been without obstacles for Blake. Moving from the world of music to the demanding pace of law required humility and persistence. His divorce and public visibility added personal pressure, but he managed to stay grounded.
Those experiences taught him patience, empathy, and the value of reinvention. One story he once shared with a close friend illustrates this perfectly. During his early law days, he represented a struggling artist in a family dispute. The case reminded him of his own past, how music and law intersect in unexpected ways. It reinforced his belief that every experience, good or bad, can be transformed into purpose.
Where Is Blake Anderson Hanley Now
Blake Anderson Hanley lives in Los Angeles with his wife Mumbi O’Brien and their daughter. He continues to practice family law, focusing on cases involving domestic issues and child advocacy. Outside work, he occasionally collaborates with creative projects that merge art, law, and community impact.
His Instagram feed gives glimpses of a balanced life filled with family moments and professional dedication. Whether in court or behind a guitar, Blake remains the same at heart, thoughtful, expressive, and driven by compassion. His story proves that transformation isn’t about abandoning the past but carrying it forward with meaning.
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FAQs About Blake Anderson Hanley
Who is Blake Anderson Hanley?
Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician and attorney. He first gained attention as the lead vocalist of the indie rock band Ghost Lion and later became known for his work as a family law attorney in Los Angeles.
What is Blake Hanley’s professional background?
He started his career in music before transitioning to law. After completing his education at Southwestern Law School, Blake joined the Bruce Law Firm, specializing in divorce and domestic violence cases.
Was Blake Anderson Hanley married to Emily Wickersham?
Yes, Blake and actress Emily Wickersham married in 2010. They shared nearly eight years of marriage before divorcing in 2018. Despite the split, they kept their relationship private and respectful.
Who is Blake Hanley married to now?
Blake is now married to Mumbi O’Brien, a visual artist and designer. They have a daughter named Muoni, born in 2020. The family resides in Los Angeles.
What is Blake Hanley’s net worth?
His estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1 million. This includes income from his time as a musician and his career as a practicing family law attorney.
