Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician, singer-songwriter and attorney whose career spans independent music and legal practice. He is known for leading the music project Ghost Lion and for his former marriage to actress Emily Wickersham, recognised for playing Eleanor Bishop on NCIS. Unlike many people associated with celebrity culture, Hanley has pursued professional work beyond entertainment headlines. His combination of songwriting and legal practice offers a broader picture of a man whose public identity extends well beyond his personal relationships.
Early Life and Musical Influences
Hanley grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the area’s cultural diversity helped shape his musical outlook. According to Ghost Lion’s official biography, he began exploring music through classical guitar, drawing inspiration from the album Buena Vista Social Club. His interests later expanded to Nine Inch Nails and punk groups such as The Clash and the Sex Pistols. These contrasting influences helped him develop an approach that combines different musical traditions rather than remaining within a single genre.
Ghost Lion and His Music Career
Hanley’s best-known creative project is Ghost Lion, through which he has worked as a singer-songwriter, composer and producer. The project blends indie pop, electronic sounds, calypso, cumbia and South American folk influences. Its first EP, Ballad of St. Panama, arrived in 2017, followed by further releases and the full-length album Nuclear Island. The album explores themes including identity, relationships, loneliness and spirituality.
Before developing Ghost Lion further, Hanley won a Live Nation employee Battle of the Bands competition, receiving a $35,000 prize that he used to purchase recording equipment. The achievement helped him invest in his music and pursue opportunities within the industry. Ghost Lion also performed at SunFest in West Palm Beach and appeared in opening slots for theatre shows around Florida. Although Hanley has not become a mainstream celebrity musician, the project remains a significant part of his professional story.
Education and Career in Law
Hanley later pursued a career in law, studying at Southwestern University School of Law and graduating in 2016. He was admitted to The Florida Bar on 23 May 2018. His legal career has included work with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, where he was associated with matters involving access to justice and housing-related advocacy. Florida Bar records currently list him as eligible to practise law and as an associate at The Grantham Law Firm & Standard Title in West Palm Beach. This professional path demonstrates that his interests extend beyond music into practical legal work.
Marriage and Personal Life
Hanley married Emily Wickersham in November 2010. Wickersham became widely recognised through her role on NCIS, where she portrayed special agent Eleanor Bishop. The marriage ended in divorce in 2018. Hanley has generally kept his private life away from extensive media coverage, and reliable public information about his relationships and family since then remains limited. His personal circumstances should therefore be distinguished from the better-documented details of his music and legal careers.
Where Is Blake Anderson Hanley Now?
Hanley’s public professional record connects him to Florida’s legal community, while Ghost Lion represents his continuing musical identity. His career illustrates how creative interests and a separate professional vocation can coexist without requiring constant public attention. Although many people first encounter his name through his former marriage, his work as a musician and attorney provides a more complete understanding of his background and achievements.
