Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Yes, you can sue him. Will you win? Probably not. Yelling at someone rarely causes legal injury of the kind that would amount to assault; same with throwing a clipboard that doesn't actually hit you. Calling you an idiot might be slander if someone else heard, but you don't mention the presence of a third person. Also, what were your damages? What harm resulted? Hurt feelings aren't generally compensable injury. The court might award you a dollar. Your filing fees and attorney fees would be much higher than your likely award of damages. About the only thing you'd gain is causing the landlord some distress, but I'd think you'd cause yourself more distress than you'd hand out, plus the dollar balance at conclusion of trial would most likely not be in your favor.