What is the difference between an HR consultant and an employment attorney?

An HR consultant can advise on best practices, recruiting, and day-to-day personnel matters. An employment attorney can provide legal advice on compliance with statutes such as the Labor Code, FEHA, and PAGA, can represent the business before administrative agencies, and can defend the business in litigation. 

Communications with an attorney may be protected by the attorney-client privilege; communications with an HR consultant generally are not.