According to reports, a manager at the French bank was unfairly dismissed after being accused of emotional terrorism by other employees.
The trader was accused of calling a colleague "useless" and "incompetent" in front of his colleagues. The error that caused Alami to make a statement turned out to be a false alarm, according to the lawyer.
Fournier said at a hearing at the Paris employment tribunal last week that other employees accused Alami of emotional terrorism and behavior that left them with a feeling of waterboarding.
He was fired from his position as head of equity derivatives sales for Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg because he was earning more than $1 million a year.
Alami admitted to the tribunal that his response to the trader was lively, but claimed that he was never insulted or aggressive.
He said it was difficult for him to counter the anonymous complaints in the internal report.
The lawyer for the bank said at the hearing that the bank paid for coaching for Alami because of his communication style.
She said that the bank didn't realize the extent of the issue until people complained.
Fournier said at the Paris employment tribunal that it is rare for people on trading floors to speak up.
She said that the trader who first accused Alami of attacking him had to be put on sick leave for two weeks.
Alami, who lives in Paris, found a new job within a year of his dismissal, but he said he earns less and spends less time with his family.
A spokesman for the bank told The Telegraph that the bank does not tolerate behavior contrary to the respect and dignity of the individual.
The case is expected to be decided on May 17.
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