Methods and devices are provided for preventing surgical devices used in laparoscopic procedures including opposed jaws and an overload mechanism from overloading the opposed jaws of the device. In one embodiment a surgical device, includes a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom with opposed jaws coupled to a distal end thereof. The surgical device can include a trigger pivotally movable about a first pivot axis during a first range of motion from an open position toward a closed position, to cause the opposed jaws of the end effector to move from an open position to a partially closed position. The trigger can further be pivotally movable about a second pivot axis during a second range of motion from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, without causing corresponding movement of the opposed jaws from the open position to the closed position.