A list Λ = {λ1, λ2,..., λn} of complex numbers is said to be realizable if it is the spectrum of a nonnegative matrix. Λ is said to be universally realizable (UR) if it is realizable for each possible Jordan canonical form allowed by Λ. In this paper, using companion matrices and applying a procedure by Šmigoc, we provide sufficient conditions for the universal realizability of left half-plane spectra, that is, spectra Λ = {λ1,...,λn} with λ1 > 0, Re λi ≤ 0, i = 2, . . . , n. It is also shown how the effect of adding a negative real number to a not UR left half-plane list of complex numbers, makes the new list UR, and a family of left half-plane lists that are UR is characterized.