Before studying law, he was part of the team of the Office of Monopolistic Affairs of the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico.
He served as dean of the Law School until 2001 when he was elected President of the University of Puerto Rico.
[3] Professor García Padilla currently chairs the Puerto Rican Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation, is a member of the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Profession of the American Bar Association, which is ultimately responsible for the accreditation of law schools in the United States.
Antonio García Padilla has been a member of the Board of Directors of Universal Insurance Co. the largest insurance company in Puerto Rico and has been an advisor to Universia, the association of Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese universities supported by Banco Santander.
In addition, he is a member of the Editorial Board of the Revista Jurídica de Catalunya and has published extensively in commercial law and education.