Blake Anderson Hanley: The Remarkable Story of Ghost Lion, Law and Life Beyond NCIS

Blake Anderson Hanley’s career extends well beyond his connection to television actress Emily Wickersham. A musician, songwriter, and Florida attorney, Hanley has pursued creative work through the indie music project Ghost Lion while building a legal career.

Many people discover his name while searching for Emily Wickersham’s ex-husband. Wickersham gained recognition for portraying Eleanor Bishop on the CBS crime drama NCIS, and viewers remain curious about her former marriage.

Yet Hanley’s professional history offers a separate story. His work includes songwriting, live performances, music production, and legal services for Palm Beach County communities.

This article covers Blake Anderson Hanley’s music, legal career, South Florida background, and former marriage to Emily Wickersham, using reliable public information.

Quick Bio

Detail	Information
Full Name	Blake Anderson Hanley
Profession	Musician, songwriter, attorney
Known For	Ghost Lion and his former marriage to Emily Wickersham
Music Project	Ghost Lion
Earlier Music Project	Kin Cayo
Notable Music	Nuclear Island, Ballad of St. Panama
Education	Southwestern Law School
Florida Bar Admission	May 23, 2018
Former Spouse	Emily Wickersham
Marriage	November 23, 2010 – December 2018
Professional Connection	Palm Beach County, Florida

Who Is Blake Anderson Hanley?

Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician and attorney whose public career combines artistic interests with legal practice.

He became involved in independent music through songwriting, recording, and performing. His work with Ghost Lion blends alternative rock, indie pop, electronic music, and international influences.

Unlike performers whose careers remain entirely within entertainment, Hanley also entered the legal profession. He has provided legal assistance with domestic violence cases, property rights, and estate matters.

This combination of interests makes his biography distinctive. Music provided an outlet for personal expression, while law offered an opportunity to work directly with people facing difficult circumstances.

His former marriage to Emily Wickersham explains some of the online attention surrounding his name, but it does not define his professional achievements.

Early Life and South Florida Background

Hanley grew up in the West Palm Beach area of South Florida, a place that later became important to both his musical identity and legal career.

According to Ghost Lion’s official biography, his early experiences exposed him to a variety of cultural communities. He became interested in the differences between those communities and the possibilities for connecting people through art.

That interest eventually influenced his songwriting.

His musical inspirations came from several directions. The album Buena Vista Social Club encouraged his interest in classical guitar, while Nine Inch Nails introduced him to darker, more experimental sounds.

Punk bands such as the Clash and the Sex Pistols also influenced his thinking, particularly through their connections with political expression and social commentary.

Rather than following a single established genre, Hanley became interested in combining different musical traditions.

These early influences help explain the stylistic variety that would later become a defining feature of Ghost Lion.

From Kin Cayo to Ghost Lion

Hanley’s music career began with an earlier project called Kin Cayo, which later evolved into Ghost Lion.

A 2016 feature published by Atwood Magazine identified Ghost Lion as the group formerly known as Kin Cayo. At that stage, Hanley sang and played guitar alongside other musicians.

Ghost Lion developed an indie sound that combined energetic rhythms with atmospheric melodies and reflective songwriting.

The project attracted music-media attention through releases such as “Broken Glass,” “Way Up,” “Wolves,” and “Shot the Sun Down.”

These recordings showed the group’s willingness to experiment with musical styles while keeping melodies accessible.

The Meaning Behind Ghost Lion

The name Ghost Lion has a personal meaning for Hanley.

In the project’s official biography, he explained that friends called him “Ghost” because he tended to disappear into the background.

He added “Lion” as a symbol of the courage he wanted to develop.

The contrast between those ideas became central to the project’s artistic identity. It represented the tension between feeling unnoticed and wanting to communicate openly.

This theme also appears in Ghost Lion’s songwriting, which frequently addresses vulnerability, belonging, emotional struggles, and the search for connection.

Musical Releases and Creative Achievements

Ghost Lion released the EP Ballad of St. Panama in 2017 and continued developing its musical identity through additional singles and performances.

One important milestone in Hanley’s earlier career was winning a Live Nation Battle of the Bands competition for employees.

According to Ghost Lion’s biography, the victory included an opportunity to perform at the House of Blues in Los Angeles and a $35,000 prize. Hanley invested the prize money in recording equipment.

The achievement supported his independent music work and led to industry showcases, though those opportunities did not result in the major recording agreements he had considered.

In 2018, Hanley relaunched Ghost Lion with drummer Paul O’Leary. The project subsequently performed at venues around Florida, including SunFest in West Palm Beach.

Nuclear Island and Its Musical Themes

Nuclear Island became a significant full-length release in Ghost Lion’s catalog.

The 13-song album brings together indie pop, electronic textures, Caribbean and Latin American rhythmic influences, and atmospheric instrumentation.

Its lyrics explore relationships, personal identity, heartbreak, uncertainty, and hope.

Songs such as “Got It,” “Sinking Stones,” and “Running Back To You” demonstrate different aspects of the project’s musical approach.

“Got It” combines electronic production with emotionally direct vocals, while “Sinking Stones” uses a more reflective atmosphere.

“Running Back To You” moves between quieter passages and energetic arrangements.

Together, these recordings show Hanley’s interest in using music to communicate personal experiences without restricting himself to one genre.

A Professional Career in Law

Music is only one part of Blake Anderson Hanley’s working life.

He studied law at Southwestern University School of Law, and Florida Bar records identify 2016 as his graduation year.

He was admitted to The Florida Bar on May 23, 2018.

His professional background includes work with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. This organization provides legal assistance to people who face financial barriers to accessing the justice system.

Public legal records document his involvement with the organization’s Domestic Violence Project.

His professional activities later included the Heirs’ Property Project, which addresses property ownership and inheritance issues affecting families and communities.

His Work With the Heirs’ Property Project

A Creative Waves Foundation professional profile identifies Hanley as a lead attorney involved with the Heirs’ Property Project at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.

The initiative handles matters involving property rights, estate administration, title issues, and related legal concerns.

Heirs’ property issues can arise when land or housing passes between generations without clear ownership arrangements. Families may then struggle to establish legal title or protect inherited assets.

Hanley’s documented legal responsibilities included helping clients navigate these complex circumstances.

In April 2025, the Legal Aid Society also identified him as a Heirs’ Property Attorney participating in a fair-housing event associated with a screening of the documentary Gaining Ground.

The Florida Bar’s professional directory lists him as a member in good standing and eligible to practice law in Florida. Its listing also associates him with The Grantham Law Firm & Standard Title in West Palm Beach.

These records show a professional career that extends beyond his earlier entertainment-related recognition.

Marriage to Emily Wickersham

Blake Anderson Hanley married American actress Emily Wickersham on November 23, 2010.

Wickersham became especially familiar to television audiences through her portrayal of Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop on NCIS.

Her character joined the CBS series in 2013 and became an established member of the show’s main cast.

As her television profile grew, interest in her personal background naturally extended to her marriage.

Hanley and Wickersham remained married for approximately eight years before divorcing in December 2018.

Their former relationship is documented in entertainment biographical records, including Wickersham’s IMDb biography.

Why Did Their Marriage End?

The specific circumstances behind their divorce have not been established through detailed, reliable public statements from both individuals.

Although entertainment websites sometimes discuss possible explanations, speculation should not be confused with confirmed information.

What can be stated with confidence is that their marriage began in November 2010 and ended in December 2018.

Wickersham subsequently continued her acting career and later married actor James Badge Dale in September 2024.

Hanley’s work in music and law provides a separate basis for understanding his life after the marriage.

Why People Continue Searching His Name

Search interest in Blake Anderson Hanley generally reflects two overlapping subjects.

The first concerns his connection to Emily Wickersham. Viewers who recognize her from NCIS often search for information about her previous marriage and former husband.

The second concerns Hanley’s own professional background.

People interested in Ghost Lion may search for its lead vocalist, songwriting credits, musical releases, or history as an independent project.

His legal career adds another dimension because his professional work is documented through organizations and official Florida Bar records.

These different interests explain why online descriptions sometimes identify him as a musician, attorney, or celebrity’s former spouse.

All three descriptions reflect documented parts of his biography, though each emphasizes a different part of his life.

What Is Known About His Life Today?

Available professional records continue to associate Hanley with the legal field in Florida.

The Florida Bar directory lists him as eligible to practice law and notes his professional association with The Grantham Law Firm & Standard Title.

Other organizational profiles document his work with the Legal Aid Society and the Heirs’ Property Project.

His music remains accessible through Ghost Lion’s released recordings and official project information.

These sources provide a meaningful picture of his public career without requiring assumptions about his personal circumstances.

Claims about his exact net worth, unconfirmed family details, or private relationships should not be treated as facts without stronger supporting evidence.

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FAQs

Who is Blake Anderson Hanley?

Blake Anderson Hanley is an American musician, songwriter, and Florida attorney. He is associated with Ghost Lion and was previously married to actress Emily Wickersham.

What band was Blake Hanley in?

Hanley is associated with Ghost Lion, an independent music project blending indie pop, alternative sounds, and international musical influences. He was also involved with its earlier incarnation, Kin Cayo.

Is Blake Anderson Hanley a qualified lawyer?

Yes. Official Florida Bar records show he was admitted on May 23, 2018, and is listed as a member in good standing eligible to practice law.

Was Blake Hanley married to Emily Wickersham?

Yes. Hanley and Wickersham married on November 23, 2010, and divorced in December 2018, after approximately eight years of marriage.

What does Blake Hanley do professionally?

His documented career includes independent music, songwriting, and legal practice. His legal work includes roles with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and property-related matters.

A Career Beyond Celebrity Headlines

Blake Anderson Hanley’s professional story reflects an unusual combination of creative work and legal service.

Through Ghost Lion, he developed a musical identity shaped by varied cultural influences, emotional songwriting, and independent production.

In law, he pursued work focused on access to justice, property rights, and community needs.

His marriage to Emily Wickersham remains a notable part of his public biography, especially for television audiences discovering his name through NCIS.

However, the available record offers a broader understanding of Hanley as a musician and attorney whose accomplishments extend beyond his former relationship.