Born in New Jersey to Colombian immigrants, De La Pava serves as a public defender in Manhattan - a role that deeply informs his writing. His debut novel, A Naked Singularity, was initially self-published in 2008 but later gained critical acclaim, winning the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize and being named one of the ten best works of fiction in 2012 by The Wall Street Journal. De La Pava's work is noted for its intricate narratives and exploration of the American criminal justice system.